Wrap-up: Why Sisi Visited Saudi?

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi arrived Tuesday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and was received by the Saudi Crown Prince, with whom the Egyptian leader held talks.

"His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia received President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi today’s morning in Riyadh," said Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.

Sisi, Crown Prince Hold Talks

"At the beginning of the talks, Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed President Sisi’s visit, expressing Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for Egypt’s leadership and people," Rady said.

He added that: "The Crown Prince praised the sincere and close historical relations that characterize Egyptian-Saudi relations."

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia also hailed Egypt's pivotal role in supporting the security and stability of Arab countries and its esteemed efforts to promote joint Arab action at all levels.

He confirmed that Saudi Arabia looked forward to continuing the advancement of the distinguished relations between the two countries across various fields, especially at the economic, investment and development levels.

On his part, Sisi expressed his pleasure to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing Egypt's pride in the historical ties that unite the two brotherly countries and peoples, in addition to Egypt's appreciation, at the official and popular levels, for Saudi Arabia's positions in support of the will of the Egyptian people and their development efforts.

Sisi also affirmed Egypt’s interest in enhancing continuous communication between the two countries through mutual visits and ensuring that these visits represent an impetus for increasing cooperation and coordination between the Egyptian and Saudi sides.

The talks touched on ways to enhance bilateral ties and partnership between the two countries, especially at the economic and investment levels, in the common interest of both sides.

In this regard, the tangible development that Egypt is witnessing in terms of the mega national projects, advanced infrastructure, as well as the investment climate that attracts capital was stressed.

The talks discussed the development of a number of regional and international files and issues of common interest.

They also emphasized the importance of strengthening joint Arab action to face the various challenges the region is facing and intensifying consultation and coordination of positions between the two countries on an ongoing basis, especially in light of the multiple and serious crises in some countries in the region.

Sisi stressed, in this context, that the national security of the Gulf states is an integral part of the Egyptian national security.

The importance of ensuring the security of the Red Sea was also stressed, as it is a cornerstone in the regional and international trade movement. This requires concerted efforts by riparian countries to ensure safe and free navigation.

Sisi Meets with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

During his reception by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, an official reception was held for the Egyptian President, where the two national anthems were played, and the guard of honor was inspected.

The two leaders held inpidual talks that were followed by an expanded session that included the delegations of the two countries.

King Salman expressed that the leadership and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcome the President’s visit and emphasized the special and distinct characteristics the Egyptian-Saudi relations.

In this context, the King noted Egypt's pivotal role in the Arab region and its tireless efforts to support Arab and Gulf countries in particular, also being a fundamental pillar for maintaining security and stability in the Arab world.The Saudi King expressed his appreciation for Egypt's support to Saudi Arabia on various issues and the contributions of its sons in many sectors and their role in achieving development in Saudi Arabia.

The King also affirmed Saudi Arabia’s keenness to strengthen bilateral relations with Egypt at all levels to achieve the common interests of the two brotherly countries and their peoples.

"Sisi expressed his appreciation for his brother, the Saudi King, for the warm reception and confirmed the bonds of brotherhood and affinity, as well as the common history and single destiny that the two peoples share," added the spokesman.

He added that Egypt looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia in all fields.

Sisi also stressed the importance of continuing to work to unify Arab ranks and solidarity to address the challenges facing the Arab region.

The President confirmed that Egypt will not allow the security and stability of its brothers in the Gulf countries to be compromised, and that the security of the Gulf is integral to Egypt's security.