VIDEO: Mohamed and Sisi hold talks, launch $20b investment platform

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Thursday held an official meeting with Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt, who is currently visiting the UAE, to discuss the ties between the two countries and ways of supporting and developing them.

Sheikh Mohamed and Sisi also addressed the latest regional and international developments and exchanged their views on topics of mutual interest.

Both leaders also witnessed the official exchange of a number of previously signed agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), between their countries across various sectors.

The agreements will see parties in the UAE and Egypt work together to develop cooperation and mutual interest.

Sheikh Mohamed receives El Sisi at Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. WAM

They also attended the launch of a joint strategic investment platform worth $20 billion, funded equally by the Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company and the Misr Sovereign Fund.

The partnership between the company and the fund aims to establish joint strategic investment projects, as well as specialist funds and investment tools in several key sectors, most notably manufacturing, conventional and renewable energy, technology, food, real estate, tourism, healthcare, logistics, financial services and infrastructure.

Sheikh Mohamed also decorated Sisi, with the 'Order of Zayed', the highest medal awarded by the UAE to kings, presidents and leaders, which was conferred on him by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The award was presented in appreciation of his role in supporting the close historical relations and joint strategic cooperation enjoyed by the two countries.

During a special ceremony held at the Al Watan Palace, Sheikh Mohamed said, "The honouring of President El Sisi, is an expression of our appreciation and pride for His Excellency's pivotal role and extraordinary efforts in taking relations to a new level, achieved by cooperation and joint action between the UAE and Egypt in various fields."

He expressed his pride in the strong brotherly relations and the high level of cooperation that brings the two countries and their peoples together and wished Egypt and its people continued progress, security and stability, as well as further development and prosperity.

Sisi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Sheikh Khalifa for the honour of receiving the "Order of Zayed," one which bears the name of an exceptional international humanitarian figure who has been loved and appreciated by the world.

He also hoped that both countries would continue to work together to meet their future ambitions and aspirations.

Later in the evening Sheikh Mohamed bid farewell to the Egyptian President as he left the UAE at the end of his visit.

Sheikh Mohamed and El Sisi pose with other officials after launch of a joint strategic investment platform between the UAE and Egypt. WAM

At the start of the meeting, which took place in the Al Watan Palace, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Egyptian President in his second home, the UAE, and conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his wishes to the Egyptian people for further development and stability.

"The relations between the UAE and Egypt are historical and strategic and are based on trust and understanding," Sheikh Mohamed said, noting that the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan loved and appreciated Egypt and considered it the heart of the Arab region and the cornerstone of Arab security.

"Recent developments have proven the strength of Emirati-Egyptian relations, as the two countries have stood together when facing risks that threaten the region’s security," he added.

Sisi expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE and meeting with Sheikh Mohamed, stressing the special relations between the UAE and Egypt.

He also congratulated Sheikh Khalifa on his re-election as President of the UAE while wishing him success in leading the country to further development and prosperity, and praising the UAE’s strong stances in support of Arab countries.

Sheikh Mohamed also highlighting the recent significant advancement of their ties in the areas of politics, the economy, security and the military, as well as the considerable increase in their trade and the growing number of Emirati investments in Egyptian economic sectors.

Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to El Sisi  as Egyptian president leaves at the end of his UAE visit on Thursday. WAM

Sheikh Mohamed noted the keenness of the two countries to achieve further development and enhance their future relations while thanking Sisi for his keenness to strengthen Emirati-Egyptian ties and affirming that the UAE’s strategy involves enhancing its overall cooperation with Egypt.

Sheikh Mohamed pointed out that the ties between the UAE and Egypt have always been distinguished throughout all their stages, not only on an official level but also on a popular level because the relations between their peoples are based on compassion, mutual respect and fraternity.

He also stressed that the UAE and Egypt are partners in supporting regional peace and stability, achieving benefits for their peoples, and preserving the sovereignty of Arab countries by enabling them to face their threats, adding that they are fighting together on one front against extremism and terrorism and the attempts to threaten the peace and security of the region's communities from extremist forces, which follow the agendas of other parties that aim to harm the two countries and their peoples.

"Egypt is a key country in the Arab region and is one of the cornerstones of Arab security. Egypt's security is as important as the UAE's security, and its progress, development and stability are important to the UAE and all Arab countries. Confronting the challenges and risks facing the Arab region requires intensifying the ongoing consultations between our countries and joint Arab action," he further said.

Sheikh Mohamed stressed that supporting friendly countries has been part of the UAE’s policy since the era of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the country always supports Arab issues and aims to benefit the Arab people while highlighting his confidence in the fact that President El Sisi’s visit will boost their overall ties.

WAM