Sisi: Freedom of Navigation and Gulf Security are Constants of Egypt's Policy

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi confirmed on Tuesday that supporting the security and stability of the Gulf Arab states and assisting them is one of the constants of Egyptian foreign policy, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining freedom of navigation in maritime corridors in accordance with international law.

El-Sisi also stressed that his country grants diplomacy and peaceful solutions the necessary space in dealing with the issue of Ethiopian dams, but he emphasized that this "will not be at the expense of Egypt and its people."

These statements came during an extensive meeting at the Strategic Command headquarters in the new capital, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the councils of ministers and governors, along with senior officials, military leaders, police, and several mayors, sheikhs, and experts, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

El-Sisi stated that Egypt is making efforts to increase its water resources, including desalination of seawater, water treatment, and recycling. The Egyptian presidency had previously confirmed that the issue of Nile waters represents a matter of national security, rejecting unilateral actions that affect the river.

In the regional file, El-Sisi affirmed that Egypt's strategic option is peace, which was established by the late President Anwar Sadat, emphasizing that Cairo "does not have a hidden agenda."

He added that the Palestinian issue remains the central issue in the Middle East, and its unresolved status is a reason for instability in the region, emphasizing that the two-state solution is the way to achieve lasting peace and stability.

The Egyptian president warned that attempts to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip "will not and have not ended," pointing out that the war in the strip, along with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war, were among the economic shocks that Egypt has faced since 2020.

Sisi revealed that Egypt has lost about 20 billion dollars in revenues from the Suez Canal in recent years due to the instability that the region has witnessed.

He noted that regional developments have also led to rising oil and commodity prices, which have reflected on prices within Egypt, affirming that Cairo is working to de-escalate tensions in the region and avoid renewed fighting. The presidency announced last March that urgent measures were being taken to address the repercussions of the regional conflict on navigation and supply chains in the Suez Canal.

On the domestic front, Sisi stated that Egypt is facing multiple attempts to harm the state, some of which are through social media, emphasizing that "the awareness of Egyptians is the bulwark," and that maintaining the cohesion of the internal front is a shared responsibility.

He pointed out that the events from 2011 to 2013 led to a contraction in the Egyptian economy, and that recovery from its effects may take 15 years, considering that the biggest challenge after 2013 was maintaining the state and its institutions.

He also called for the proper utilization of the country's resources, reinforcing trust in state institutions, and improving the treatment of citizens and the quality of services, emphasizing the importance of education in preparing generations capable of keeping pace with technological developments, and benefiting from the positive aspects of artificial intelligence while being mindful of its negative repercussions.