Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held a joint press conference in Seoul, announcing that Egypt and South Korea are upgrading their relations to a strategic partnership. This development is expected to open up new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic, and developmental fields. The partnership is based on mutual respect and shared benefits. President El-Sisi emphasized that the relationship between the two nations has witnessed significant growth over the past decade.
The two leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, and supply chains. They also explored increasing exchanges between the two peoples and addressing regional and international issues of common interest. President El-Sisi highlighted that the relationship between Egypt and South Korea has seen a qualitative leap in areas such as technology, industry, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and new and renewable energy. Egypt seeks to benefit from South Korea's expertise and expand Korean industrial investments in Egypt.
President El-Sisi expressed Egypt's desire to support programs for localizing advanced industries, particularly in the automotive, electronics, petrochemicals, and new and renewable energy sectors. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing economic, investment, industrial, and technological cooperation between the two countries. The leaders' discussions reflected a significant convergence of views and agreement on the importance of promoting a culture of peace and supporting stability in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.
President El-Sisi stressed Egypt's efforts to restore security and stability in the Middle East and ensure the freedom and safety of navigation in international sea lanes. He emphasized the need to prevent the escalation of current crises and their extension to other areas. Egypt supports stability in the Horn of Africa and rejects any measures aimed at creating new arrangements for access to the Red Sea at the expense of the sovereignty of coastal states.
The Egyptian President emphasized that the security of the Red Sea and its governance falls exclusively under the responsibility of coastal states. He also highlighted that the Nile River represents an existential issue for the Egyptian people and affirmed Egypt's support for development in Nile Basin countries. President El-Sisi rejected unilateral measures that violate the principle of non-harm and international law, which affect Egypt's water rights.
President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's firm stance on the need to achieve a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, based on international legitimacy and the two-state solution. He expressed Egypt's aspiration for more countries to recognize the Palestinian state and appreciated South Korea's potential participation in the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Egypt rejects any plans aimed at displacing the Palestinian people and condemns Israeli escalation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The strategic partnership between Egypt and South Korea is expected to have a positive impact on the economic and developmental landscape in Egypt. The two countries will work together to promote investments, technology transfer, and industrial development. Egypt's relations with South Korea have gained significant momentum in recent years, and this partnership is expected to further strengthen ties between the two nations.
Key points
- Egypt and South Korea upgrade relations to strategic partnership
- President El-Sisi emphasizes importance of Nile River for Egypt
- Egypt supports stability in Horn of Africa and rejects unilateral measures affecting its water rights
