Tunisia’s Saeid firmly supports Egypt’s water rights, discusses ‘new means of cooperation’ with Sisi

CAIRO – 10 April 2021: The leaders of Egypt and Tunisia on Saturday emphasized “identical views” on regional issues, promising “wider horizons and new means of cooperation.”

 

Tunisian President Kais Saeid visited the Museum of Civilizations and other cultural landmarks in Cairo on Friday, and met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday. In the conference following their meeting, they announced 2021 as the Egyptian-Tunisian year of culture to reflect common history. 

 

They both agreed on “countering all terrorist organizations without exceptions, undermining their abilities to recruit new elements, and drying up the sources of their funding.”

 

On the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Saeid firmly announced “I say it before the entire world, we are looking for just solutions but the Egyptian national security is our own; Egypt's position in any international forum is ours. I say this in complete conviction.”

 

“Because we have read history well, and we read the future well, and we will not accept in any way jeopardizing the water security of Egypt. We are looking for just solutions but not at the expense of Egypt's water security,” the Tunisian president added. He and Sisi also said African integration should be enhanced. 

 

The two presidents all possible support for the Libya executive authority to hold elections by the end of 2021, calling a continuous Libyan dialogue and for the removal of mercenaries and foreign fighters from the country to preserve its stability, security, and resources. They also refused the idea of dividing Libya. On a wider scale, they called for Arab solidarity and the rejection of foreign interference, as well as an independent Palestinian state. 

 

Sisi and Saeid underscored plans for comprehensive development and reinventing channels of cooperation so joint trade and investment amounts to the strength of political relations. Saeid said nations of the region must protect themselves and their institutions from ideologies that seek to undermine societies and states.

 

“We had big dreams at one point, and obstacles were big, but as long as the people and states of the region are fine, our future will be fine,” Saeid added. 

 

Saeid thanked Sisi for the hospitality, saying “Cairo is able to defeat all obstacles.” For his part, Sisi accepted Saeid’s invitation to visit Tunisia.