CAIRO, April 12 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto signed on Saturday a declaration to elevate relations to the level of strategic partnership.

The signature of the declaration came after President Sisi received Subianto at Al Ittihadiya Palace where an official reception was held, the national anthems of both countries were played.

President Sisi and his Indonesian counterpart held a tete-a-tete meeting followed by an expanded session of talks comprising delegations of both countries to discuss bilateral relations and catering for the aspirations of the Egyptian and Indonesian people, according to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy.

After signing the strategic partnership declaration, the two sides discussed requirements from both governments and the private sector, in order to implement this partnership, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, trade, investment, communications, information technology, food security and energy, the spokesman said

The agreement entails fostering connections between business entities in both countries towards supporting sustainable development and serving mutual interests, Shennawy added.

The meeting tackled ways to enhance defense cooperation through training, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise, in light of the mounting regional and international challenges that necessitate close coordination with sisterly and friendly nations, the spokesman stated.

He added that both sides affirmed keenness on maintaining and strengthening cultural cooperation that constitutes an extension of the shared cultural heritage between Egypt and Indonesia.

The two presidents also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with president Sisi reviewing Egypt's efforts to reach the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The necessity of beginning the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip without displacing Palestinians was emphasized during the meeting, according to the spokesman.

The meeting also underlined the importance of reaching a comprehensive and lasting solution based on the international legitimacy resolutions, and ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June, 1967, with East Jerusalem "Al Quds" as its capital, the spokesman noted.

Meanwhile, president Sisi accompanied his visiting Indonesian counterpart, following the conclusion of their talks, to the Egyptian Military Academy where they were received by its Director Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, the spokesman added.

Subianto was briefed on the qualifying and training programs of the Academy. The two Presidents also watched two documentary films about the New Administrative Capital and the Egyptian Military Academy, the spokesman went on to say. (MENA)

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