President El-Sisi Emphasizes the Urgent Need to Begin Gaza Reconstruction Efforts

Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, delivered the text of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's opening speech at the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum today, Saturday.

In his speech, President El-Sisi stated that Egypt, on the regional level and based on its historical responsibility towards the issues of the African continent and the region, plays an influential role in reaching solutions to these issues and conflicts.

He pointed out Egypt's impactful role in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, affirming Cairo's steadfast support for the two-state solution according to international legitimacy resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and President Trump's initiative, aiming to establish an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He mentioned that Egypt stresses the urgent need to start efforts to rebuild the Gaza Strip, provide humanitarian support to the Palestinian people, and reject any attempts to impose unilateral solutions or change the geographic and demographic reality of the Palestinian territories, as well as the forced or voluntary displacement of Palestinians from their lands.

In another context, President El-Sisi confirmed the continuation of joint work to enhance cooperation between Africa and the Russian Federation and to continue preparations for the third joint summit as a qualitative step in the strategic partnership path.

He added: "In Egypt, we believe that the future of this partnership is not only based on interests but on a shared vision for a safer, more just, and developed future for all our peoples. We aspire to cooperate with international partners to establish a promising future based on mutual respect and achieving sustainable development, serving our collective security and common interests."