US President Donald Trump praised Egypt’s successful efforts to deal firmly and strongly with the threat of terrorism, during his meeting with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Monday on the side-lines of 73rd round of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) sessions, according to presidency’s statement.
This meeting is the first to take place between both leaders after the inauguration of Al-Sisi’s second presidential term last April.
During the meeting, President Al-Sisi reviewed developments of military, security, and intellectual efforts and asserted the importance of the continual of the joint Egyptian-American cooperation to confront terrorist organisations and prevent them from receiving funds, weapons, or recruiting members.
Trump congratulated Al-Sisi for the success achieved in fighting terrorism in remarks prior to their bilateral meeting, saying: “I want to congratulate you on doing an outstanding job with respect to terrorism. I know you’re working very hard on that. It is not easy. And you are at the forefront. But you have done an outstanding job.”
The leaders also focused in the meeting on boosting their relations through expressing their aspiration to strengthen partnership relations between them, in order to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.
Al-Sisi said that he is looking forward for further coordination and consultation with the US on various issues in the region, especially combating terrorism, while Trump said that the US administration is keen to strengthen and advance its strategic relations with Egypt.
Moreover, the meeting reviewed aspects of bilateral cooperation between Egypt and the US, especially on the economic level, and ways to increase the volume of investment activities of American companies in Egypt.
Trump praised Egypt’s economic reform and stressed the desire of the US to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries and promote joint investments.
As for the regional level, Al-Sisi and Trump discussed the situation in Libya, Syria and Yemen, as well as the Palestinian issue and ways to revive the peace process.
Al-Sisi confirmed Egypt’s firm position towards the Palestinian issue and the importance of reaching a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state, according to the international references and also expressed Egypt’s keenness to cooperate with the US to discuss ways to revive and advance the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations process.
On Monday, Al-Sisi conducted additional meetings with members of the Business Council for International Understanding, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, and the President of Cyprus is Nicos Anastasiades and discussed bilateral relations, regional, and economic topics, as well as discussing Egypt’s reform programmes.
President Al-Sisi is expected to give a speech during the UNGA sessions, which according to the Egyptian presidency will tackle Egypt’s vision in dealing with international and local problems, and its strategy to keep peace, as well its plans in countering terrorism.
