CAIRO, April 30 (KUNA) -- During his first state visit to Egypt, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held summit talks with Egyptian President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement between the Israeli occupation authorities and the Palestinian groups on durable ceasefire in Gaza Strip and ensure unhindered delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian people under the UN Security Council Resolution 2720.
They stated opposition to the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and the plans for expanding the operations to Rafah city, southwest Gaza, according to a joint statement released following the summit talks.
Both sides warned that the Israeli malpractices risk expanding the scope of the conflict to other parts of the Middle East, and jeopardizing the security of the region and the world peace.
They urged the international community to shoulder their responsibility for finding a fair settlement to the Palestine question based on the two-state solution and establishing the State of Palestine within the borders of June 4, 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
They stated unequivocal rejection of the Israeli attempts to liquidate the Palestine cause and the Israeli serious violations of the international humanitarian law through forced displacement of the Palestinian people from their own land in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
They reaffirmed support to the legitimate right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland pursuant to the UN General Assembly Resolution 194.
Both sides reiterated the vital role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), called for supporting its budget and rejected the cynical witch-hunt attempts targeting the aid agency, according to the statement.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his bother the Egyptian President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi held in-depth expanded talks in the presence of senior level officials from both sides.
They hailed the growing, deep-rooted, historical relationship between their two sisterly countries on the state-to-state and people-to-people levels, noting that this relationship featured reciprocal obligations, exchanged support and full solidarity at critical moments, which materialized shared commitment to protection of each other's interests and the joint Arab security at large.
The Kuwaiti side applauded the unprecedented development of Egypt in all areas, and commended the Egyptian efforts to improve the investment atmosphere.
On his part, the Egyptian President appreciated the care for the Egyptian community in Kuwait.
Based on shared desire to enhance the trade ties and joint investment, both sides tasked the competent agencies to arrange for the 13th session of the Higher Joint Commission on Cooperation, according to the joint statement.
Both sides commended the coordination and reciprocal support at international arenas, which gives momentum to the common interests, recalling Kuwait's backing to Dr. Khaled Al-Anani - the Egyptian candidate to UNESCO Director General, and Egypt's support to Kuwait membership at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2024-2026.
Both sides hailed the close political coordination between them regarding regional and international issues of common concern, highlighting the importance of promoting the culture of peace, dialogue, development and coexistence, and favoring diplomacy as a means of resolution conflicts in the Middle East region.
Regarding Libya, the Egyptian and Kuwaiti leaders underscored the importance of respect for the sovereignty, territorial safety and unity of the Arab country, and stated opposition to all forms of foreign interference in its domestic affairs.
They reiterated support to the inter-Libyan dialogue aiming to reach a political settlement and arrange for presidential and parliamentary elections as early as possible in keeping with the provisions of the 2015 Skhirat political accord, the constitutional declaration and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
On the civil strife in Sudan, both sides rejected the foreign interferences and stressed the need of Sudanese-led political settlement to the dispute away from any external dictates or pressures.
They urged protecting the national state institutions of Sudan from collapse in collaboration with regional actors such as the African Union and the Arab League.
They recognized the need of supporting the neighbors of Sudan, including Egypt, which were affected by the conflict and the ensuing influx of refugees, the joint statement noted.
His Highness the Amir of Kuwait reaffirmed full support to Egypt's right to water security as an integral part of the Arab water security, renewing solidarity with Egypt in whatever measures it might take to protect is interests against any unilateral moves to plunder the River Nile waters.
Highlighting the importance of protecting the security and stability of maritime navigation under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, both sides urged finalizing the delineation of the Kuwait-Iraqi maritime borders beyond the Mark 162 in keeping with the UNSC Resolution 833 (1993).
Today's talks also dealt with the Kuwait-Iraq agreement regulation navigation through Khor Abdullah waterway, which was signed on April 29, 2012 and came into force on December 5, 2013. After being endorsed by Kuwait and Iraq, the document as well as the appended security protocol of 2008 and map were lodged to the UN on December 18, 2013.
Regarding Dorra field, Kuwait and Egypt affirmed that the field lies entirely in the territorial waters of Kuwait and the hydrocarbon wealth in the adjacent submerged area is shared by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia away from any third party, based on signed agreements.
During the visit, President Al-Sisi awarded His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the Order of the Nile - the highest state order in Egypt, in recognition of his role in promoting the bilateral relations.
His Highness the Amir expressed gratitude to the Egyptian leader for the warm reception and hospitality offered to His Highness the Amir and his entourage. (end) gb