Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday affirmed his country’s support for the Iraqi government’s efforts to strengthen its state and its institutions, and rejection of all foreign interference in Iraq’s affairs.
During his speech at the Cooperation and Partnership Conference held in Baghdad, Sisi said: “Egypt stands by and supports the efforts of the Iraqi government towards strengthening the national state and its institutions so that it can be informed of its tasks to maintain the security and stability of Iraq and protect its people and its territorial integrity.”
“Egypt also rejects all foreign interference in Iraq’s affairs and illegal assaults on its lands.”
Sisi added: “Everyone has an interest in Iraq playing the role entrusted to it, hence our meeting today, to renew support and commitment to the established principles in international relations that are not disputed, which are good neighborliness, non-aggression, mutual respect for the sovereignty of countries, and unconditional refrain from interfering in their internal affairs.”
“This meeting represents an opportunity that should be built upon to exchange views and explore the horizons of coordination between us, which requires constructive cooperation to confront today’s crises from the perspective of the reality we live in, and not by following illegal aspirations that clash with the rules of international law and do not respect the will of the people, their political choices and their right to self-determination,” he said.
Sisi’s participation in the conference is an extension of Egypt’s desire to support Iraq’s role in actively maintaining balance in the region, while ensuring its own security and stability.
The conference seeks to discuss ways to enhance constructive dialogue with the aim of establishing partnerships, cooperation and economic integration between Iraq and all neighboring and friendly countries, he added.
The Baghdad conference is attended by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, France, Turkey, and Iran, as well as the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
