President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and British Prime Minister David Cameron stressed on Thursday the deeply-rooted relations between Egypt and Britain, voicing trust that cooperation will serve the interests of the two countries.
The two leaders made the remarks in a joint press conference in Downing Street, on the second day of President Sisi’s visit to the UK.
Sisi thanked the British premier for the positive atmosphere that prevailed in the visit and for the warm welcome.
The Egyptian president said that he met with several figures who stressed their keenness to make the visit successful, saying that his visit reflects the strong ties between the two countries and peoples.
Strong cooperation relations binding both countries in the various domains serve as a base for enhancing political and economic relations and supporting a wide-ranging joint trade and investment partnership, Sisi said.
Egypt is in a race against time to build a modern society proud of its values and heritage, he added.
The president stressed the necessity of doing more to face the extremism and hatred discourse and rejection of other, which served as a fertile soil for terrorism.
For his part, Cameron opened the press conference by welcoming President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to Britain.
He stressed that his country is ready to help Egypt to achieve growth and development, saying that he was proud that his country is the biggest foreign investor in Egypt.
Cameron said that he discussed with the Egyptian leader the need to achieve political progress in Egypt as a foundation for the Arab country’s stability on the long run.
Cameron added that he is proud that his country is the biggest foreign investor.
The British premier said that he discussed with Sisi a number of foreign policy issues, including Daesh militant group, the Syrian crisis and the illegal migration.
He added that security cooperation will continue to address the scourge of extremism.
As for the Libyan crisis, Cameron noted that there is a need to see a comprehensive political settlement that accommodates all parties as a first step to curb terrorism and face illegal immigration.
He added that the talks with Sisi tackled the Russian plane crash in Sinai and the situation in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, lauding the efforts of the Egyptian authorities in the investigations of the Russian flight crash.
About one million tourists from Britain spend their vacations in Sharm el Sheikh every year, he said.
About discontent over Britain’s suspension of flights from Sharm el Sheikh Airport, President Sisi said that he excuses “our friends’ concerns” about the security and safety in airports and tourist destinations.
“We have recently received our British friends who checked on the security measures at our airports, not only in Sharm el Sheik, and even after the Russian plane crash,” Sisi pointed out.
He added that there was a phone call with the British prime minister for more measures and “I appreciated that.”
The British premier has the right to be reassured about his citizens and to send missions to check on the security measures at airports, Sisi said.
All airports are fully secured, he added.
Sisi went on saying: “I found understanding from the premier about Egypt’s efforts and reaction and about the importance that the issue will not have impact on the return of the British tourists whose presence in Egypt pleases us.”
For his part, Cameron said that he fully agrees with what Sisi said, adding that important talks were held with Sisi on the steps taken to make sure that the British citizens will return home safe and sound after their vacation spent in Sharm el Sheikh.
He added that the Britons will be able to return to Britain safely due to the high level of cooperation between Egypt and Britain.
Asked about that many people in the Middle East believe that Britain was behind the formation of Daesh group due to its military intervention in Iraq and Libya as well as hosting extremist figures, Cameron said that the biggest terrorist operation was the bombing of New York’s World Trade Center Towers, which took place before measures taken in Iraq and Libya.
Al Qaeda was there before these measures, he said, adding that there is terrorist extremist thought that should be faced.
Asked about measures taken by the British government towards the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) group in London, Cameron said that the government deals with them according to their actions within the framework of law.
He stressed that the UK is taking stronger measures against extremism, even if against those who incite violence.
Source : sis.gov
