Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a high-profile summit held in the Saudi city of Neom, Egyptian President El-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed the deep-rooted strategic partnership between their nations. The leaders agreed to expand bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including industrial integration, technological localization, sustainable energy, transport, and urban development.
The summit featured both extended talks and a private one-on-one meeting between the two leaders, marking a significant step in reinforcing the long-standing relationship between Cairo and Riyadh. The discussions were framed by a shared vision for the future, one rooted in regional stability, mutual economic interests, and a collective response to pressing geopolitical challenges, most notably the crisis in Gaza.
According to Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman warmly welcomed President Sisi, expressing Saudi Arabia’s deep appreciation for its brotherly ties with Egypt. The Crown Prince reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and elevating it to new heights, with the goal of achieving enduring prosperity for both peoples.
The meeting underscored the mutual recognition of Egypt’s pivotal role in fostering regional stability and sustainable development. Prince Mohammed praised Egypt’s historical weight and strategic influence, describing it as a cornerstone of regional peace and cooperation.
President Sisi, in turn, voiced his gratitude for the warm reception and generous hospitality, highlighting the strong bonds that connect the two nations. He emphasized Egypt’s eagerness to continue building on the recent qualitative leap in Egyptian-Saudi relations, particularly in economic and trade partnerships that align with the aspirations of both peoples.
A major focus of the summit was on bolstering joint investment initiatives and accelerating the establishment of the long-discussed Egyptian-Saudi Supreme Coordination Council. This entity is expected to serve as a comprehensive platform to streamline and develop collaboration across all levels governmental, economic, and cultural.
Both sides agreed on launching additional joint ventures in key sectors. These include industrial integration and the localization of high-tech industries, alongside shared projects in transport infrastructure, renewable and green energy, and modern urban planning. These initiatives reflect the strategic convergence of Egypt’s Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, both of which prioritize diversification, innovation, and sustainable development.
The Neom summit also addressed pressing regional and international developments, with particular attention given to the escalating situation in the Gaza Strip. President Sisi briefed the Crown Prince on Egypt’s ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire, working closely with various stakeholders to de-escalate violence and restore humanitarian access.
Both leaders emphasized the urgency of ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling for the immediate release of hostages and detainees, and expressing firm opposition to any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians or reinstate Israeli military occupation in the Strip. They also condemned continued Israeli practices in the West Bank and reaffirmed the need to protect Palestinian rights and territorial integrity.
In this context, President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for Saudi peace initiatives, including the outcomes of the recent Two-State Solution Conference. The leaders stressed that any viable resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must be rooted in international legitimacy and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state.
The summit concluded with a shared commitment to enhanced coordination in navigating the complex and fast-evolving dynamics of the Middle East. Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia pledged to work closely to safeguard the region’s stability, uphold the sovereignty of its nations, and preserve the integrity of national institutions amid ongoing challenges.
As regional powerhouses with aligned strategic interests, Egypt and Saudi Arabia continue to deepen their partnership, one that blends economic ambition with a joint responsibility to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Arab world.
