Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a powerful gesture of diplomacy and heritage, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and First Lady Entissar El-Sisi hosted a formal state dinner at the foot of the iconic Pyramids of Giza on Wednesday evening, honoring Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The event marked the monarch’s first official visit to Egypt since the two nations elevated their bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.
Set against one of the world’s most breathtaking historical backdrops, the dinner served as both a cultural showcase and a political statement, underlining a renewed commitment to deepening Egyptian-Spanish relations.
A Strategic Milestone
Earlier in the day, during a ceremony at Cairo’s Ittihadiya Presidential Palace, President El-Sisi welcomed the Spanish royals and praised the significance of their visit, describing it as a “turning point” in bilateral relations.
“This visit comes at a time of major regional and international challenges,” President El-Sisi said, adding that it reflected the mutual interest of Cairo and Madrid in expanding cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
The president particularly commended Spain’s “honorable and historic” stance on the Palestinian cause, following Madrid’s official recognition of the State of Palestine in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. President El-Sisi hailed the move as evidence of Spain’s deep commitment to a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
Shared Vision on Palestine
President El-Sisi emphasized that Egypt and Spain are aligned in their support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He warned of the grave consequences of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, noting the broader risks such actions pose to regional stability.
“Egypt and Spain share the belief that the path to peace must be based on justice, legitimacy, and a fair resolution for the Palestinian people,” President El-Sisi stated.
Future of Cooperation
The royal visit is expected to pave the way for enhanced collaboration between Egypt and Spain. Both governments are reportedly preparing a series of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, education, and tourism.
With Egypt positioning itself as a key regional hub and Spain seeking to expand its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa, the new strategic partnership is seen as a timely alignment of mutual interests.
A Night Beneath the Pyramids
The state dinner at the Giza Plateau served as a striking symbol of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality. The choice of location was as deliberate as it was dramatic, blending ancient grandeur with modern diplomacy.
Cairo’s hosting of the Spanish monarch and his consort in such a setting was widely interpreted as a reflection of the depth and dignity the Egyptian government places on the evolving relationship with Madrid.
As Egypt and Spain embark on a new chapter of strategic cooperation, the dinner beneath the stars and stones of Giza offered a powerful image of two nations reaching across history, geography, and diplomacy to chart a more connected future.
