King Salman in Egypt on state visit

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi after his arrival in Cairo on Thursday.

The two leaders discussed issues of common interests between the two nations.

The visit is expected to cement political and economic ties between the two nations, including firming up deals worth billions.

Following the session, President El-Sisi held a luncheon in honour of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his accompanying delegation.

The luncheon was attended by a number of princes and the accompanying delegation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

King Salman will address the Egyptian Parliament in his first official visit to Egypt since becoming monarch in January 2015.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif was made acting Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in a Royal Decree before the king’s departure.

On Wednesday, in preparation for his arrival, the 15th round of the Saudi-Egyptian joint committee kicked off to a promising start, said the Saudi Press Agency.

In statements following the meeting, Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Haqabani, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Saeed Abdullah, first undersecretary at the Egyptian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said the first day’s outcome was positive.

Al-Haqabani rejected reports that there were serious obstacles facing Saudi investments in Egypt, and said they were customs-related problems easily settled by officials in charge. He said trade was worth $4.4 billion in 2015 and would be increased this year.

Abdullah said 15 agreements covering development and rehabilitation of Sinai, petroleum, commerce, industry, education, and culture and information would be signed on the sidelines of the meetings.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has emphasized the importance of King Salman’s visit to Cairo and spoke of the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries in an interview with Al-Arabiya TV.

‘Some media circles have been doubting the strength of our relationship but I am in constant communication with my Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir who has assured that ties remain strong,’ Shoukry said.

Since 2013, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have given Cairo around $35 billion in aid in the form of oil shipments, cash grants and deposits into its central bank.