Al-Sisi, Slovenian president discuss bilateral ties, regional developments

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to show “the greatest possible flexibility” and reach a political understanding to resolve the current crisis, warning that renewed military operations could have severe humanitarian and economic consequences for the region and the wider world.

Al-Sisi made the remarks during a joint press conference with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar in Cairo, following talks covering bilateral relations and regional and international developments.

He said all parties involved in the US-Iran crisis should give diplomacy and dialogue greater scope and work towards an agreement that addresses the principal demands and concerns of both sides.

“I stress this course today, before it is too late, because the alternative would have catastrophic consequences for the region and the world,” Al-Sisi said.

He affirmed that Egypt would continue working with regional and international partners to de-escalate tensions and achieve a peaceful settlement.

Al-Sisi also expressed confidence that US President Donald Trump would support mediation efforts and provide mediators with the backing needed to reach a settlement.

More broadly, Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s rejection of any threat to Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states, stressing that Cairo considers Arab national security indivisible.

He called for political solutions to regional disputes and warned against a wider cycle of conflict that could disrupt energy and food supply chains.

The talks also addressed the Palestinian issue, with Al-Sisi calling for the full implementation of Trump’s Gaza peace plan and ensuring safe access for humanitarian aid. He rejected the displacement of Palestinians and any attempts to undermine the territorial unity of Palestinian lands.

The president reiterated Egypt’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On bilateral relations, Al-Sisi and Pirc Musar agreed to work towards expanding trade and investment and strengthening cooperation in energy, transport, tourism, communications, digital transformation, education and scientific research.

Al-Sisi said the two countries would develop a time-bound action plan to deepen economic and investment cooperation and increase direct engagement between their business communities.

The two sides also discussed linking Egyptian ports with Slovenia’s Port of Koper and expanding maritime and logistics cooperation to strengthen supply chains and improve access to Arab and African markets.

Pirc Musar said Slovenia saw further opportunities to cooperate with Egypt in water management, artificial intelligence, waste recycling and the green economy, as well as through closer coordination at the United Nations.

The meeting also addressed developments in the Horn of Africa and the war in Ukraine, with both sides stressing the importance of political settlements and respect for international law.