Sisi meets Tunisia's PM to discuss matters of mutual interest

CAIRO – 12 November 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met with Tunisia's Prime Minister Youssef El-Shahed, where the later conveyed the greetings of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and noted that he is pleased to visit Egypt and attend the meetings of the Egyptian-Tunisian High Committee.

The Tunisian prime minister emphasized the longstanding relations between the two countries and underscored Egypt's significant role as a cornerstone for security and stability in the Arab world. He asserted that Tunisia is interested to strengthen the outstanding relations with Egypt across various areas, and to further advance cooperation so as to realize the interests of the two peoples.

President Sisi commended the brotherly bonds and friendship between the Egyptian and Tunisian peoples. He hoped that the meetings of the Egyptian-Tunisian High Committee contribute to bolstering bilateral cooperation in various areas, and stressed the need to follow up on the implementation of what will be agreed upon at the meetings.

The meeting tackled overall developments in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed on the importance of stepping up cooperation, notably economic and trade cooperation. A number of regional issues were also tackled.

There was an agreement on the importance of strengthening solidarity and unity among Arab countries to address the unprecedented challenges they are currently facing, primarily terrorism and extremist thought, which require reinforcing unity, defusing sectarian conflicts and preserving the states' national institutions.

The Libyan crisis was also discussed. They agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis. This solution shall preserve Libya's sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and people's resources and restore security and stability.