Egyptian, Eritrean presidents discuss regional issues, cooperation

 Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki discussed on Monday the latest regional developments of mutual interest, especially the issues of the Horn of Africa, security of the Red Sea as well as the Ethiopia's Renaissance dam on the Nile.

During a meeting in the capital Cairo, the two presidents agreed to enhance coordination and joint consultation to follow up on these developments in order to support regional security and stability, Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in a statement.

Sisi highlighted Egypt's keenness to strengthen relations and consolidate strategic cooperation with Eritrea in various fields to establish a sustainable partnership between the two countries, the spokesman noted.

For his part, Afwerki expressed his country's aspiration to develop bilateral relations with Egypt at various levels, especially at the time when the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region witness successive challenges and increasing foreign interference.

The visiting president said these challenges require intensified cooperation and coordination with Egypt in order to maintain peace and security in the region, praising Egypt's stances aimed at achieving stability in the Horn of Africa.