King holds summit meeting with Egypt’s Sisi

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on Tuesday in Cairo held a summit meeting, during which they discussed ways to boost relations between both countries in all fields, as well as regional developments. 

During the meeting, held at Al Ittihadiya Palace, both leaders expressed keenness to expand cooperation, especially at the economic level, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty and Sisi highlighted the importance of building on the outcomes of the meetings of the joint Jordanian-Egyptian higher committee, which were held in Cairo last year, and activating agreements that both countries signed in the commercial, service, investment and tourist sectors.

In this regard, both leaders expressed hope that the next committee meeting, to be held in Amman later this year, will result in more partnerships that will serve interests of both countries and peoples. 

They also expressed joint keenness to sustain coordination and consultation over various regional challenges, in a way that would serve pan-Arab causes and achieve security and stability for Arab peoples.

On the Arab summit that the Kingdom will host in March, King Abdullah and Sisi highlighted the significance of the pan-Arab meeting in light of regional crises, which requires enhancing and institutionalising joint Arab action and unifying stances to guarantee success in forging political solutions to these crises.

In this regard, King Abdullah, who concluded the visit to Cairo later in the day, underscored the pivotal role of Egypt in serving Arab causes and its endeavours in enhancing Arab solidarity.

Other issues tackled in the meeting included regional developments, especially the Syrian crisis, the peace process and Jerusalem, and efforts to combat terrorism.

His Majesty and the Egyptian president highlighted the need to resume serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, in line of the two-state solution, which both leaders described as “the only solution to end the conflict”.

Any proposals that are not based on the two-state solution and relevant international legitimacy resolutions will have serious repercussions on the entire region, King Abdullah and Sisi emphasised.

As for Jerusalem, they stressed the importance of preserving the holy city’s historical status quo, which, if changed, will jeopardise regional security and stability.

His Majesty stressed the Kingdom’s keenness, in light of the Hashemite custodianship of holy sites in the city, to continue its role in safeguarding the city’s Islamic and Christian sites and supporting Jerusalemites. 

The Monarch and the Egyptian president stressed the need to find political solutions to urgent regional crises, especially in Syria, with both leaders stressing the need to build on the Astana talks to sustain the ceasefire, as a key step towards finding a political solution in line with Geneva understandings.

As for the latest developments in the Iraqi arena, both sides voiced support for Iraqi drive to liberate Mosul and achieve national consensus.

On Libya, they highlighted the significance of supporting all efforts aimed at achieving unity in the country, building its institutions and supporting security and stability in Libya.

Both leaders called for intensifying regional and international efforts in the war against terrorism within a comprehensive strategy, especially since terrorism has become a threat to security and stability in the region and the entire world.

Talks also covered His Majesty’s recent visit to the US and his discussions with members of the US administration and the Congress, which focused on the importance of reaching political solutions to regional crises.

For his part, Sisi commended the “deep-rooted and solid” relations between Jordan and Egypt in all fields, and expressed Cairo’s keenness to develop these ties at all levels to serve the interests of both countries and peoples, the Royal Court statement said.

He also expressed his appreciation of the Kingdom’s support for Arab causes and its continuous endeavours to enhance Arab unity, as well as its efforts in reaching political solutions to regional crises. 

President Sisi held a lunch banquet in honour of His Majesty and the accompanying delegation, which was attended by several senior Egyptian officials.