Weekly Review of President Sisi Activity

The past week witnessed a varied activity of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at domestic and Arab levels resulting in many important announcements; most importantly the resumption of the Russian air flights to Egypt including resort cities of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada.

At the domestic level, Sisi followed up on the economic and financial performance indicators for the current fiscal year 2021/2021, and inspected various construction works of a number of roads, axes and bridges in eastern Cairo.

This week witnessed an Egyptian-UAE summit at Ettahadiya Presidential Palace, which carried many important messages between President Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates.

Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady said that Sisi received a phone call from Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, April 23, and the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, cooperation in the tourism sector, as it was agreed to resume full air traffic between the two countries’ airports, including Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.

For his part, Sisi welcomed the resumption of air traffic between the two countries, expressing aspiration that this decision would represent an effective momentum towards further advancing bilateral relations between Cairo and Moscow.

Moreover, the Russian president expressed his country’s keenness to strengthen various aspects of the close bilateral relations with Egypt, praising the extended partnership between the two friendly countries, and the tangible achievements made by Egypt in the fields of economic and social development, establishing major national projects, improving the investment climate and developing infrastructure.

Friday Prayer

On the same day, Sisi performed the Friday prayer at the Mosque of the Field Marshal Tantawy (El Mosheer Tantawy) and met with a number of senior commanders of the armed forces after performing the prayers, according to Rady.

[caption id="attachment_221109" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Sisi Performs Friday Prayer- Press Photo[/caption]

The president performed the Friday prayers coinciding with the celebrations of Egypt and the armed forces on the tenth of Ramadan victory anniversary in the presence of Lieutenant General Mohamed Zaki, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production, Lieutenant-General Mohamed Farid, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and Dr. Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, Minister of Endowments and Dr. Shawky Allam, the Grand Mufti, the governor of Cairo, leaders of the main branches, senior commanders of the armed forces, and a number of officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

On Saturday, Sisi discussed economic and financial performance indicators for the current fiscal year 2020/2021 with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Central Bank Governor Tarek Amer and Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait.

“Sisi followed up on the economic and financial performance indicators for the current fiscal year 2020/2021,” said Rady.

He added that the president called for the continuation of maintaining positive economic performance rates, reflected in the stability of the state’s monetary and economic conditions.

Egyptian-UAE Summit 

Later on that day, Sisi affirmed Egypt’s commitment to its firm stance towards Gulf security; rejecting any practices that may destabilize the Gulf’s stability as he received, Saturday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates.

Sisi welcomed bin Zayed, extending his congratulations on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, stressing Egyptian-UAE historical relations and ties.

The two leaders agreed to maximize the Egyptian-UAE cooperation and coordination as a basic pillar to protect Arab national security, and to confront foreign interference in other countries domestic affairs.

Remarks to German Newspaper

Sisi told German newspaper Die Welt that security should not come at the expense of freedom, even in a country that lives in difficult conditions like Egypt, denying the imprisonment of any person in Egypt because of his political views.

He said, in an interview with the widespread Die Welt on Saturday, that criticism is allowed for everyone, but it must be “constructive criticism and not incitement,” stressing that stability is very important, especially in a country like Egypt with a population of 100 million people and youth constitute more than 60% of it.

The Egyptian president noted that jobs can only be created if Europe helps us build industries, even if it competes with its own industries, adding that Europe cannot receive every illegal immigrant.

Moreover, Sisi affirmed that since September 2016, “we have been able to prevent illegal immigrants from entering Europe from Egypt, and it was important for us that the security of Europe was not affected as a result.”

Sisi Got Vaccinated 

On Sunday, the Egyptian president got the COVID-19 vaccine to encourage Egyptians to get it within the national vaccination campaign’s framework.

[caption id="attachment_234024" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Sisi receives Coronavirus vaccine[/caption]

Later that day, he gave a speech on the 39th Anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day and met with ministers concerned ministers to follow up on Universal Health Insurance System Nationwide.

President offered condolences to Iraqi President Barham Salih and Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi for the loss of life in the fire at Ibn al-Khatib Hospital. He made a phone call to Kadhimi and Salih, expressing his sincere condolences and sympathy to the Iraqi President, the victims' families and the Iraqi people for the victims of the fire at Ibn al-Khatib Hospital in Baghdad.

On Monday, Sisi discussed the status of the national project for agriculture and land reclamation in central and north Sinai, in a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Assistant to the President for National and Strategic Projects, Eng. Sherif Ismail, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Mr. Al-Sayed El-Quseir, Presidential Advisor for Urban Planning Major General Amir Sayed Ahmed, Director General of the National Service Projects Organization (NSPO) Major General Mostafa Amin, Chairman of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces Major General Ihab Al-Far, and Head of the Chairman of the Sinai Development Authority Major General Mohamed Shawky Rashwan.

On Tuesday, he was convened with a group of Japanese experts supervising the Egyptian-Japanese schools system in Egypt, in the presence of Minister of Education and Technical Education Dr. Tarek Shawky and the supervisor of the Egyptian-Japanese Schools Unit Ms. Neveen Farouk.

The meeting discussed the efforts of Japanese experts, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, to establish the school administrative rules followed in Japan and to implement the Japanese educational systems “Tokkatsu” within the new system of the Egyptian-Japanese schools nationwide.

Then, Sisi met  with CEO of the Korean company “Hyundai Rotem” Mr. Lee Yong-bae and discussed joint cooperation with Hyundai Rotem for localizing the train industry, including the signal and communication systems as well as Command and control equipment.

The president emphasized the role of Korea as an effective development partner in Egypt and confirmed that the country is looking forward to establishing strategic cooperation with the Korean company in many industrial fields, especially in the heavy industries. They depend on labor intensity and advanced technology.

On Wednesday, Egypt sent medical aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the directives of Sisi. A military transport plane, loaded with large quantities of medical supplies, took off from Cairo East Air Base en route to N'Djili International Airport. The shipment, which included medications and other medical supplies, was delivered from Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

One day later, another medical aid was sent to Libya including large quantities of medical supplies. For their side, the Libyans expressed their profound appreciation for all efforts exerted by the Arab Republic of Egypt to support Libya. This aid is an affirmation of Egypt’s support and full solidarity with Libya in times of adversity and crisis and reflects the strong fraternal ties binding both brotherly peoples.

On Thursday, Sisi inspected the construction work being done for developing a number of roads, axes, and overpasses in East Cairo. He was keen to be updated on the actual progress of work in various construction sites from workers and to listen to their views, congratulating them on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, stressing the importance of adhering to COVID-19 precautionary measures to ensure the workers’ safety.

The tour included a visit to the vicinity of Cairo International Airport, Abdel Hamid Badawy Street intersecting with the Autostrad Road, and Nasr City district to inspect the ongoing development works in these areas.

During the tour, Sisi spoke with an Egyptian family riding motorcycles. He congratulated them on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and listened to their concerns and conditions. Moreover, he stressed the need to adhere to the safety measures.

Finally, he mourned the loss of Prince Mohamed bin Talal, and sent a telegram stating that "On behalf of himself and the people and government of Egypt, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi mourns the loss of H.R.H. Prince Muhammad bin Talal, expressing his deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the brotherly Jordanian people and to his honorable family. The President prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in peace and to grant his family patience and solace."