President stresses need for stronger ties with Slovenia, expanded economic co-operation
Pirc Musar lauds Egypt’s role in maintaining regional peace, stability
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf states, rejecting any threats to their security and stability and stressing that Arab national security is indivisible.
President Sisi made these remarks during a joint press conference with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar following their talks in Cairo on Tuesday.
He stressed the need for full implementation of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, the safe and unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.
He also called for regional de-escalation and for the importance of prioritising political solutions to prevent the Middle East from sliding into a wider conflict. A lasting peace, he said, requires a just political settlement leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution.
President Sisi and President Pirc Musar discussed ways to boost bilateral relations, expand economic and investment co-operation. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.
President Sisi welcomed President Pirc Musar on her first visit to Egypt as Slovenia’s president, expressing appreciation for the longstanding friendship between the two countries. He stressed the importance of expanding co-operation in trade, investment, transport, tourism, education, scientific research and regular migration.
He also called for closer maritime and logistics co-operation, particularly by linking Egyptian ports with Slovenia’s Port of Koper and integrating supply chains in both countries.
Egypt’s ports, infrastructure and logistics corridors offer opportunities to facilitate access to markets across Africa and the Arab region, he said.
The two presidents agreed to give bilateral relations fresh momentum through an action programme with specific timelines to strengthen trade and investment mechanisms and to promote direct engagement between their business communities.
Priority sectors include energy and related industries, transport, tourism, culture, communications and digital transformation. These efforts are expected to create new opportunities for investment, production and trade, while reinforcing the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union.
President Sisi described Slovenia as an important partner in Central Europe, noting that both countries were keen to build on their historical ties and expand existing areas of co-operation. He also stressed that stronger Egyptian-Slovenian relations would contribute to advancing Egypt’s broader partnership with the EU.
For her part, President Pirc Musar expressed appreciation for Egypt’s warm welcome and hospitality, reaffirming Slovenia’s commitment to taking bilateral relations to broader horizons.
She identified water resources management, education, scientific research, artificial intelligence, waste recycling and the transition to a green economy as promising areas for co-operation. She also called for closer co-ordination in international forums, particularly the United Nations.
The discussions also covered regional and international issues, with President Sisi outlining Egypt’s efforts to promote stability in the Middle East, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said.
The Egyptian president praised Pirc Musar’s support for the Palestinian cause and her positions in favour of international law, peace and the protection of civilians in conflict zones, particularly the Gaza Strip.
The Slovenian president, in turn, commended Egypt’s pivotal role in maintaining regional peace and stability. She expressed her country’s keenness to continue political consultations with Cairo on regional and international developments and reaffirmed Slovenia’s commitment to international humanitarian law and its position on the Palestinian issue.
The two leaders also exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa and the Ukraine crisis.
President Sisi welcomed Slovenia’s support for inclusive political settlements, respect for international law and the will of peoples, describing these principles as essential to resolving conflicts and addressing their root causes.
Concluding the press conference, President Sisi expressed confidence that Pirc Musar’s visit would mark an important milestone in bilateral relations and open a new chapter of long-term partnership between the two countries.
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