Egyptian President, Russian Security Official Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, Ukraine Crisis

CAIRO, Xinhua: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu discussed on Monday a range of regional and international issues, with a focus on the Gaza ceasefire and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

During a meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Sisi underscored the vital need to further strengthen efforts toward achieving stability in countries in the Middle East, and to safeguard their unity, sovereignty, and the resources of the nations, said the statement.

The Egyptian president stressed the importance of the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement through all its phases, and ensure the delivery of sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid into the Strip.

Both sides agreed that the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state, in accordance with the references of international legitimacy, remain the only viable path to achieving a just and lasting peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, Sisi also reiterated Egypt’s support for all efforts aimed at settling the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and reaching a comprehensive peace.

For his part, Shoigu expressed appreciation for Egypt’s role in the Middle East, emphasizing Russia’s keenness on maintaining close coordination with Egypt.

The talks also covered bilateral projects, including the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and Egypt’s first nuclear power plant at El-Dabaa. Sisi called for boosting economic and investment cooperation, increasing trade volume, and strengthening collaboration in tourism.