President El-Sisi Holds Talks with Algerian President

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the President of the Algerian Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at Ittihadia Palace, where a formal reception was held, the two anthems were played and the guard of honor was inspected.

The Spokesman for Presidency stated that President El-Sisi and President Tebboune held a session of bilateral talks, followed by an expanded session that included delegations of the two countries.

President El-Sisi welcomed the Algerian president as Egypt’s dear guest, at this critical time during which the region is experiencing successive developments. The President expressed the appreciation of both Egypt’s leadership and people for the historical bonds that the two countries share.

The President confirmed the importance of continuing the pace of periodic and intensive consultation and coordination between Egypt and Algeria on regional issues of common interest at the highest level. This demonstrates the two countries’ commitment to deepening their firm strategic alliance and enhances the unity of joint Arab and African ranks in the face of various challenges in the region at present.

The Algerian president expressed his appreciation for the warm reception, stressing that his current visit to Egypt is a continuation of the distinct relations between the two brotherly countries and the common destiny and future they share. It also supports the frameworks of bilateral cooperation at various levels. He hoped that this visit would add momentum to the solid and longstanding ties between the two countries at the official and popular levels.

The Spokesman stated that the talks touched on ways to enhance bilateral relations at all levels. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation and coordination between the two countries, while stressing the importance of support for the benefit of the two brotherly countries and peoples. This shall take place by making optimal use of all available opportunities to enhance integration between them and building on the positive outcomes achieved during the exchange of visits between senior officials of the two countries. This is in addition to preparations to hold the next session of the Joint Higher Committee at the level of the prime ministers of the two countries at the soonest, especially that the last session was held in 2014 in Cairo.

Views were exchanged on a number of regional and international issues of common interest. They were aligned on the need to strengthen joint efforts and coordination between the two countries on the successive developments within their geographical surroundings, as a main pillar for protecting Arab and African national security.

The strategic partnership between Egypt and Algeria was also emphasized within the framework of efforts to combat terrorism and all forms of organized crime at the regional level, particularly through military and informational cooperation and coordination in the Sahel region. This is in light of the fact that Egypt and Algeria face the same challenges and share the same vision in this regard based on the importance of working to provide security and economic development in the region, in addition to concerted efforts of the international community to reach political settlements for the crises in some countries in the region, in a manner that safeguards the territorial integrity of those countries, their sovereignty, and the capabilities of their peoples.
 
The latest developments in the Libyan dossier were discussed. The two presidents agreed to intensify coordination of visions and positions regarding mechanisms to resolve the Libyan crisis, particularly with the sensitivity of the present time. This constitutes the importance of continuing to support all efforts aimed at Libya’s stability, unity and territorial integrity as well as protecting its national institutions. This is while emphasizing the need to underpin ceasefire and remove all foreign forces, mercenaries and fighters from Libyan territory, especially with the direct impact that this has on Egyptian and Algerian national security. This is in addition to pushing towards ending the transitional phase, and not allowing the aspirations of the brotherly Libyan people to be thwarted in this regard, by holding presidential and parliamentary elections.
 
The issue of Nile waters and the latest developments regarding the Renaissance Dam negotiations were also addressed. Both sides agreed on the importance of reaching a legally binding agreement for filling and operating the dam, in a manner that achieves the common interests of the three countries and preserves regional stability, emphasizing the need to highlight good intent and political will from all parties of the negotiations.
 
They also discussed the developments of the Palestinian issue. The President of Algeria valued the Egyptian efforts in this context, especially with regard to underpinning the ceasefire between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. President El-Sisi stressed that Egypt's efforts stem from its regional and historical responsibility towards the Palestinian cause.  The two presidents agreed on the importance of engaging in path towards political settlement to reach a just, comprehensive, and permanent solution to the issue, in accordance with international references.