CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Monday reaffirmed Egypt’s firm support for the sovereignty and stability of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, stressing Cairo’s rejection of any unjustified attacks against Arab countries. Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy said in a statement that the remarks came during a meeting between Al-Sisi and Montenegro President Jakov Milatovic, during which the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments of mutual concern.
During the talks, Al-Sisi highlighted Egypt’s efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote peaceful solutions to ongoing crises and conflicts. He stressed the importance of continued coordination among international partners and expressed support for efforts by the United States and Iran to reach a comprehensive and lasting agreement.
The Egyptian president also outlined Cairo’s position on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing the need to achieve a just and comprehensive settlement based on the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law. Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land, stressing the importance of rebuilding the Gaza Strip and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic.- KUNA photos
On bilateral relations, Al-Sisi described the visit as significant, noting that it marks the first presidential-level visit since diplomatic relations were established between Egypt and Montenegro following the latter’s independence in 2006. He expressed Egypt’s keenness to expand cooperation with Montenegro, particularly in the economic sector, increase trade exchange and explore investment opportunities available in both countries.
For his part, President Milatovic affirmed Montenegro’s commitment to strengthening relations with Egypt across various fields, expressing his country’s interest in benefiting from Egypt’s expertise in tourism, energy and infrastructure development. He praised successful Egyptian investments in Montenegro’s tourism sector and expressed his country’s desire to expand these investments into additional fields. Milatovic also highlighted the close alignment between the two countries’ positions on international issues, particularly their emphasis on diplomatic solutions and cooperation rather than conflict and the use of force.
He commended Egypt’s efforts under President Al-Sisi’s leadership in supporting regional security and stability, while reaffirming Montenegro’s support for the two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. The Montenegrin president also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in addressing illegal migration. The two leaders agreed that the visit should serve as the beginning of a new phase of stronger bilateral ties and enhanced political consultations on regional and international issues of common interest. – KUNA