To address bilateral and regional challenges, Egypt and Saudi Arabia called for continued political coordination and consultation, particularly in light of the two countries' leadership roles in preserving the region's stability, which supports sustainable development for all regional nations.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt urge continued bilateral cooperation to address problems
The joint political follow-up committee's fifth session, attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Saudi colleague Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, ended on Thursday with the release of a final communiqué that made this call.
The importance of continuing Egyptian and Saudi efforts to promote the security and stability of the region was acknowledged by both parties.
The statement emphasized how eager Egypt and Saudi Arabia are to expand opportunities for bilateral collaboration in all areas, particularly given the two nations' historical ties and fraternal relations.
The statement claims that the two sides discussed the outstanding Egyptian-Saudi relations in various areas, praising the expanding cooperation in the political, economic, security, and cultural fields in a way that supports the stability and security of the two countries as the interests of their peoples.
The declaration confirmed that the two nations hold the same positions on several local and global challenges, demonstrating their close strategic ties and strong political commitment to promoting regional stability.
The communiqué stated that the Saudi foreign minister congratulated his Egyptian counterpart on successfully hosting the UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022.
This demonstrated Egypt's capacity to present fresh ideas and communicate with all countries participating in this significant event. The Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit's second iteration, held in Sharm El Sheikh, received praise from both sides for their cooperative efforts to make it a success.
Shoukry commended Faisal bin Farhan on Saudi Arabia hosting the Jeddah Security and Development Summit in July 2022 and the First China-Arab States Summit in Riyadh, highlighting the Kingdom's significant position in the Middle East and worldwide.
The foreign minister of Egypt said that during its leadership of the 32nd regular session of the Arab League Summit, Egypt looks forward to cooperating closely with Saudi Arabia.
The statement noted that the two parties had addressed the regional situation and reaffirmed the inseparable nature of Arab national security. They demanded strengthening Arab unity and cohesion to protect Arab national security.
According to the communiqué, the two parties reaffirmed their opposition to any attempts by regional forces to meddle in the Arab states' internal affairs, endanger their stability, or harm the interests of their populations.
Both parties concurred to keep up the fight against terrorist groups in the area. Furthermore, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause as the primary concern of the Arab world.
They stressed the significance of finding a fair and comprehensive Middle East solution that ensures the Palestinian people's right to an independent state within the boundaries of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The signing of a framework agreement by Sudanese parties to end the nation's political turmoil was nevertheless welcomed by both parties.
The two top diplomats emphasized the need to assist with Sudan's political and security situation based on their steadfast belief that Egypt and Saudi Arabia's security and stability depend significantly on Sudan's growth.
The top diplomats from Egypt and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their support for cooperative initiatives to create tripartite cooperation structures with African nations, particularly in light of the political commitment of the two countries presidents to take this step ahead.
The two parties emphasized that Iran should uphold its obligations under the NPT in a way that precludes Teheran from getting nuclear weapons while ensuring that the Iranian nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
They called on Iran to abstain from all destabilizing activities in the region, including to stop support for armed militias and threats to maritime navigation and international trade routes and to respect sound neighbor principles. They also urged Iran to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Arab states.
Both parties emphasized the importance of preserving the non-proliferation framework and enhancing the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In that regard, the two foreign ministers highlighted the need to back initiatives aimed at creating a Middle Eastern region free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in a manner that advances regional and global peace and stability.
In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia and Egypt condemned any attempts to compromise the security and safety of maritime movement in the Red Sea, Bab El Mandab Strait, and Arabian Gulf.
They also stressed the necessity of bolstering bilateral cooperation to secure these crucial naval passageways and thwart any actions that pose a threat to the security and stability of the region and the world.
The results of the Yemeni national dialogue, The Gulf initiative, its executive mechanisms, and UN Resolution No. 2216 for the Year 2015 were all considered.
The two sides reciprocated their full support for the UN and international efforts to extend the cease-fire and arrive at a comprehensive political agreement for the crisis in Yemen.
The Egyptian side, for its part, praised Saudi Arabia's initiatives and efforts to encourage dialogue between Yemeni parties and support the truce.
This is a component of the Kingdom's initiative announced in March 2021 to end the crisis in Yemen and make it easier to dispatch and deliver humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people while supporting the nation's economic and development projects.
The two sides also voiced their grave concern over the Houthi militias' ongoing attacks on international shipping lanes, which have a damaging impact on the security and stability of the world's oil supplies.
Regarding the Libyan crisis, the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to seeing a Libyan-Libyan solution come to fruition under the auspices of the UN. They also emphasized the need to stop all foreign meddling in Libyan affairs and reject any foreign attempts to impose their will on the Libyan people.
The agreement reached between the Libyan parliament and the State Council to refer the constitutional draft to the two chambers for approval was emphasized. They also applauded the Libyan parliament and the Libyan state for respecting all frameworks that allow Libya to progress toward a better future.
They argued that passing the election law and its implementing regulations is essential to uniting the state foundations. Moreover, doing so will pave the way for holding the presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
The Saudi side also thanked Egypt for co-hosting the sessions on the constitutional road for Libya with the UN. In this regard, Egypt and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their support for the (5+5) joint military committee.
They demanded that the decisions regarding the departure of mercenaries and foreign troops from Libya within a specific timeframe, as well as the dissolution of the militias following the pertinent UN resolutions, Berlin conference, and Paris agreement, be carried out in a way that restores the territorial integrity and unity of Libya and preserves its sovereignty.
The Saudi side urged Ethiopia not to take unilateral action in filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance and reaffirmed its complete support for Egypt's water security, which is critical to Arab national security.
The Saudi side urged Ethiopia not to take unilateral action in filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), to shoulder the responsibility and political will required to reach a binding agreement on the filling of an Egyptian dam, and to reiterate its full support for Egypt's water security, which is critical to Arab national security.
The Saudi side also expressed its full support for Egypt's steps to preserve its national security. While this was happening, Egypt and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the significance of supporting Iraq to help it regain its pre-war status as a pillar of stability in the Arab world, continue the battle against terrorism, and protect the nation-state and its institutions.
They also welcomed the election of a new president and the establishment of a new cabinet, which might pave the way for the reconstruction of Iraq. However, they also opposed any involvement in Iraq's internal affairs and emphasized the importance of maintaining its security and border safety.
The two sides also concurred on the importance of aiding Syria in combating terrorism, facilitating the return of refugees and displaced people, and finding a political solution to its crisis following UNSC Resolution 2254.
They also agreed to support Syria's independence and territorial unity. Additionally, they kept the UN's initiatives to advance the political process in Syria and deal with the country's dire humanitarian situation.
The two nations reaffirmed their opposition to any military threats that violate Syrian territory and scare its citizens. They also emphasized the significance of maintaining Lebanon's security and stability, urging the political authorities to act following their obligations to uphold national interests and expedite efforts to fill the vacant presidential seat.
They also added that they carry out pertinent constitutional obligations that could satisfy the needs of the Lebanese people to achieve political stability and implement an economic reform program that aids in overcoming the country's economic challenges.
Additionally, the geopolitical climate of the world and the effects of the world economic crisis on regional and global levels were discussed by the two parties. To improve the Arab states' capacity to face various difficulties, they also decided to speed up bilateral economic cooperation and expand inter-Arab cooperation.
