Sisi expressed his happiness over his second visit to Djibouti, and appreciation to Djibouti for the sincere and cordial welcome he witnessed during that visit.

"I cannot miss congratulating Djibouti - its leadership and people - on the well-deserved diplomatic success achieved by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as Chairperson of the African Union Commission, wishing him all the best," Sisi said.

He held extensive discussions with Guelleh, during which they tackled areas of bilateral cooperation in various priority sectors for the two countries.

In this context, Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart agreed to launch an ambitious and joint program to achieve energy security in Djibouti.

This program includes several projects related to the rehabilitation of the national electricity grid, the solar power plant project in the village of Omar Jagga, scheduled to be officially inaugurated within days, and the construction and expansion of solar and wind power plants in various regions of Djibouti.

Sisi reiterated Egypt's commitment to transfer its distinguished expertise to Djibouti in order to achieve energy security for the African country.

They also agreed on the importance of encouraging investments between the two countries, particularly in the field of ports and free zones.

Sisi noted that he discussed with the Djiboutian president the implementation of projects in partnership between the Egyptian and Djiboutian public and private sectors, such as the establishment of a logistics center for Egyptian companies in the Djibouti Free Zone.

In addition, they agreed on an expansion project for the container port in Doraleh, and ongoing studies to build roads to connect the port of Djibouti to the road network in Djibouti and the region, thus enhancing land trade.

They also agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations in the coming period through serious and practical steps.

Sisi announced the establishment of the Egyptian-Djibouti Joint Business Council, noting that he had agreed with his Djiboutian counterpart to inaugurate the headquarters of the Misr-Djibouti Bank in the coming days.

They also directed a review of previous treaty frameworks related to the development and protection of investments between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to build on existing cooperation in the field of capacity building and the training of national cadres.

Sisi had discussed with his Djiboutian counterpart opportunities for cooperation in the health and medicine sectors, and witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to enhance joint cooperation in the fields of higher education, youth and sports, and media.

“We believe that there are still broader prospects for cooperation between the two countries,” Sisi pointed out.

They also discussed extensively the current situation in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

In this regard, they stressed the need to support efforts to strengthen the pillars of security and stability in Somalia, and to preserve its unity, and territorial integrity.

"We also discussed the common challenges facing our two countries in the Red Sea. We affirmed our rejection of threats to the security and freedom of navigation in this vital international trade artery, and the need to adhere to the principles and foundations of regional security,” according to the Egyptian leader.

The discussions also addressed the Palestinian issue, with Sisi urging a sustainable settlement to the Palestinian issue.

In conclusion, Sisi reiterated to his Djiboutian counterpart his deep thanks and appreciation for the generous hospitality and warm welcome, emphasizing Egypt's deep pride in the fraternal and strategic relations with his country.

He expressed his aspiration to continue fraternal meetings and consultations to achieve the aspirations of the two peoples. (MENA)
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