The Presidency
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Mrs. Entissar El-Sisi received, at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain and Her Majesty Queen Letizia, on the occasion of the King’s first state visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said an official reception ceremony was held, which included a horse parade, playing the national anthems of Egypt and Spain, an honor guard review, a 21-gun salute, and a commemorative photo of the President El-Sisi, his spouse and Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. This was followed by a closed meeting between the President and the King, which later expanded to include both countries’ delegations.
President El-Sisi began the meeting by welcoming the King of Spain on his first state visit to Egypt, and noted that this visit marks the first high-level Spanish official visit since the signing of the declaration upgrading bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership, which was agreed upon during President El-Sisi’s visit to Spain in February 2025.
King Felipe VI expressed his deep appreciation to visit Egypt, noting Egypt’s established regional and international standing, and its rich civilizational heritage that has left a lasting impact on all of humanity.
Talks focused on ways to enhance the distinguished relations between Egypt and Spain, particularly in the economic, investment, tourism, cultural, and educational fields. President El-Sisi and King Felipe VI emphasized the importance of building on the current momentum to expand prospects for joint cooperation in a way that serves the interests and aspirations of the two peoples. In this context, mechanisms for enhancing trade exchange, cooperation in transportation, and exploring new opportunities in the field of antiquities were discussed.
Talks also addressed regional and international developments. President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for Spain’s supportive stance on achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, especially Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine, and its vote in favor of the New York Declaration on the Two-State Solution at the United Nations General Assembly. These positions reflect Madrid’s commitment to the two-state solution and upholding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
His Majesty King Felipe VI listened to an outline by the President on Egypt’s diligent efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as well as the President’s assessment of the situation in the region, after the recent Israeli escalation.
The King of Spain praised Egypt’s efforts in this regard over the past two years, including the Gaza reconstruction plan prepared by Egypt, which received support and endorsement at the Arab and Islamic levels.
The President and the King of Spain emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of hostages and captives, the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the de-escalation in the region, and endeavors to preserve peace that has existed in the region since the 1970s. Both sides emphasized their categorical rejection of attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, as this would result in the liquidation of the Palestinian cause and constitute aggression and a threat to the security of neighboring countries. This is in addition to its grave repercussions,such as unprecedented waves of displacement and illegal migration towards Europe.
Both sides stressed their utter rejection of the illegal Israeli practices in the West Bank, including settlement expansion and the threat to annex Palestinian territories, as this constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
Views were exchanged on a number of regional and international crises, including the war in Ukraine. The importance of political and peaceful solutions that ensure safeguarding the sovereignty of states, their territorial integrity, and the resources of their peoples was emphasized. Both sides agreed to continue coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest, both bilaterally and within multilateral regional and international fora.
Following the talks, orders were exchanged between the President and His Majesty the King of Spain, as well as between the President’s spouse and Her Majesty the Queen of Spain, in recognition of the strategic and long-standing relations between the two countries, reflecting their keenness to further developing them across various fields. This was followed by a luncheon banquet hosted by the President and his spouse for Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, attended by delegations from both countries. President El-Sisi delivered a speech welcoming Their Majesties the King and Queen. The King of Spain also delivered a speech thanking the President and his spouse for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.
