Egypt unequivocally rejects Yemen’s transfer to foothold for non-Arab forces

CAIRO – 13 August 2018: In a press conference with his Yemeni counterpart Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi on the occasion of Hadi’s two-day visit to Cairo, President Sisi remarked that Yemen’s stability and security is important for Egyptian national security and regional stability.

“We unequivocally reject Yemen transferring a foothold for the non-Arab forces, or a platform that threatens its brotherly Arab countries’ security and stability, or the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait,” said President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Monday.

Hence, he added, Egypt confirms its firm commitment toward Yemen’s stability and unity as well as its continuous support for Yemen’s legitimate government.

“Your visit to Egypt is particularly important in light of the delicate and pivotal stage that Yemen is going through. The crisis’ repercussions were doubled by the enormous challenges in the Arab region, which unprecedentedly threaten its security and stability.

That requires us to devote efforts, promoting cooperation and coordination among the Arab countries to ward off the escalating dangers facing us all and to change the difficult reality of the brotherly Yemeni people.”


President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Aug. 13, 2018 - Press photo

Sisi confirmed that Egypt welcomes the UN envoy’s efforts in Yemen, aiming to resume negotiations in accordance with internationally agreed terms. The Gulf initiative, the outcomes of the national dialogue and the Security Council’s relevant resolutions are among the delegation’s top priorities.

He further remarked that he held fruitful talks with Hadi, which focused on ways to support and promote bilateral ties between the two countries in different fields, the recent developments of the Yemeni crisis and how to tackle current challenges given political and security consequences.

Sisi concluded that he confirms his concern to develop ties between Yemen and Egypt, which provide a solid foundation for moving together towards the future.

The press conference was preceded by talks reviewing how Egypt can best support Yemen to reach a political solution and alleviate humanitarian suffering.

During the talks, they discussed the common points for cooperation between the two countries to enhance the protection of marine navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el Mandeb strait so as not to be adversely affected by Yemeni crisis.

Sisi stated that Egypt is ready to increase training programs to build the capacity of Yemeni cadres in different fields, as well as offering scholarships and treatment grants.

The talks were followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Central Bank of Yemen on cooperation in the banking sector, particularly in the field of skills exchange and training of workers in this sector.