Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Egyptian President discuss relations, regional, int'l issues

CAIRO, 26th May, 2016 (WAM) --- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday discussed bilateral relations and a number of regional and international issues of common interest. The talks took place at the al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace where Al-Sisi received H.H. Sheikh Mohamed and members of the delegation accompanying him during a visit to Cairo. President Al-Sisi welcomed H.H. Sheikh Mohamed and praised the excellent bilateral relations and their development due to the historic and close co-operation. He thanked the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for taking an honourable stance for Egypt and its people. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed extended his condolences to the Egyptian people for the victims of the Egyptair flight that crashed recently in the Mediterranean. He prayed to Allah Almighty to spare Egypt and its people from any misfortunes. He conveyed to the Egyptian president, the greetings of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa and his best wishes of the continued progress, security and prosperity for Egypt. Al-Sisi requested H.H. Sheikh Mohamed to convey his greetings and best wishes of further progress to H.H. Sheikh Khalifa for the UAE and its people. H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser attended the meeting during which the parties examined bilateral relations and co-operation between the two countries and discussed ways of promoting these relations to serve the common interests of their brotherly peoples and capitalise on available opportunities in trade, economy, and development. They also discussed international and regional issues with a focus on the crises in Syria, Yemen and Libya, as well as the dangers posed by terrorism for regional security and stability. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties underlined the need for the two countries to maintain strong strategic and historic relations, thanks to the keen interest of their leaders in continuing fraternal co-operation that serves the mutual interests of their countries and the whole Arab region. They also underlined the importance of doubling Arab efforts and aligning them with the international community's efforts in order to put an end to the regional crisis and promote peace and security for states and their peoples. They noted the need for combating all forms and manifestations of extremism and terrorism, regardless of their motives and pretexts, and by all possible means. They also stressed the need for co-ordinating and integrating all relevant efforts being made by the states. H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that the UAE stands with Egypt and its people in their fight against terrorism, and said that Egypt's stability is vital for the stability of the Gulf region, the Middle East and the whole world. The parties also stressed that intra-Arab co-operation and solidarity can counter all challenges and foreign interference of several parties that seek to undermine the security and stability of this region. Later, the Egyptian president hosted a luncheon at al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in honour of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The meeting and the luncheon were attended by Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA); Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary at the Court of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince; Juma Mubarak Al Jenaibi, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt; Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail; Mustafa Sherif, Chief of the Egyptian President's Office; Dalia Khorshid, Egyptian Minister of Investment; Major General Khaled Fawzy, Egypt's Chief of Intelligence, and other officials. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395295936476.html