King Felipe VI Praises Egypt’s Regional Role During Landmark State Visit

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and First Lady Entissar El-Sisi welcomed today, at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, who are making the first-ever state visit by a Spanish monarch to Egypt.

Mohamed El-Shenawy, official presidential spokesperson stated that official reception ceremonies were held, including a horse parade, the playing of the national anthems of Egypt and Spain, an honor guard inspection, and a 21-gun salute, followed by a commemorative photo of the President, the First Lady, and the Spanish King and Queen. 

A closed bilateral meeting between President Sisi and King Felipe then took place, followed by an expanded session of talks with both delegations.

The spokesperson noted that Sisi opened the talks by warmly welcoming the Spanish King on his first state visit to Egypt, which also marks the first visit by a senior Spanish official since the signing of the declaration elevating bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership during Sisi’s visit to Spain in February 2025.

For his part, King Felipe VI expressed his great appreciation for visiting Egypt, praising its firmly established regional and international standing, as well as its rich civilizational heritage that has left a lasting imprint on humanity.

According to the spokesperson, the discussions addressed ways to further strengthen the distinguished bilateral relations between Egypt and Spain, particularly in the economic, investment, tourism, cultural, and educational fields.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of building on the current momentum in bilateral ties to broaden avenues of cooperation, in a way that serves the interests and aspirations of the two friendly peoples.

In this context, they explored mechanisms for enhancing trade exchange, cooperation in the field of transport, and new opportunities for collaboration in the antiquities sector.

The talks also touched upon regional and international developments. 

In this regard, Sisi expressed his appreciation for Spain’s supportive positions regarding a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, particularly Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine and its vote in favor of the “New York Declaration on the Two-State Solution” at the UN General Assembly. 

These steps, he noted, reflect Madrid’s commitment to the principle of a two-state solution and to upholding the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The spokesperson added that King Felipe listened to President Sisi’s assessment of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as his broader evaluation of the regional situation, particularly in light of the recent Israeli escalation. 

Furthermore, the Spanish King commended Egypt’s tireless efforts over the past two years, including the reconstruction plan for Gaza developed by Egypt, which received broad Arab and Islamic support.

In this regard, both leaders stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, halting regional escalation, and preserving the peace that has prevailed in the region since the 1970s.

They firmly rejected any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land, warning that such actions would amount to liquidating the Palestinian cause, constitute aggression and a threat to the security of neighboring states, and risk triggering unprecedented waves of displacement and irregular migration toward Europe.

The two sides also reaffirmed their categorical rejection of Israel’s unlawful practices in the West Bank, including settlement expansion and threats to annex Palestinian territories, stressing that such measures represent blatant violations of international law.