Sisi, Eritrean President Hold 3-Day Talks in Cairo

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, on Monday at Ittahadiya Presidential Palace, eastern Cairo, according to Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

“President Afwerki will be a guest of Egypt on a working visit for a period of three days,” Rady added.

The official reception ceremony was held, the two national anthems were played, and the guard of honor was reviewed.

[caption id="attachment_136266" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]

The spokesman noted that Sisi and Afwerki will discuss a pile of issues, most importantly the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, as well as discussing issues of bilateral cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the distinguished relations between Egypt and Eritrea.

[caption id="attachment_136267" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]

On the level of the bilateral relations, the Egyptian president stressed the importance of developing bilateral cooperation projects between Cairo and Asmara during the coming period, while overcoming all obstacles in this regard, especially in the sectors of infrastructure, electricity, health, trade, investment, agriculture, animal and fish wealth.

“President Sisi affirmed the necessity of intensifying technical support programs provided to the Eritrean side, in addition to persifying and strengthening the frameworks of joint cooperation in the military and security fields between the two countries,” Rady added.

[caption id="attachment_136268" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]

On his part, President Afwerki expressed his country's mutual aspiration to foster bilateral relations with Egypt at various levels, especially at the current time in which the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region witness successive challenges and increasing foreign interference, which imposes intensified cooperation and coordination with Egypt and its leadership against the background of the pivotal influence of Egypt in the whole region in terms of maintaining peace and security.

[caption id="attachment_136269" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]

Moreover, Afwerki lauded, in this regard, the Egyptian stances aimed at achieving stability in the Horn of Africa, which was reflected in the great Egyptian support for Eritrea during the last period.

[caption id="attachment_136271" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]

Rady pointed out that during the meeting, Sisi and Afwerki discussed the latest regional developments of mutual interest, especially with regard to the files of the Horn of Africa and the security of the Red Sea, as well as the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

[caption id="attachment_136272" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]

“The two leaders agreed to enhance coordination and joint vigorous consultation to follow up on these developments, in support of regional security and stability,” the spokesman stressed.

[caption id="attachment_136270" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, in Cairo on July 6, 2020- Press Photo[/caption]