Abdul Mahdi and al-Sisi agree to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries

 Cairo - INA

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi agreed Saturday to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries.

"There is a common desire between the Egyptian and Iraqi leaderships to develop relations between the two countries," Abdul Mahdi told a news conference with Sisi after official talks between the two sides.

He stressed that Iraq emphasizes the friendship with all neighboring countries and puts relations aside, and Iraq today a friend of the world.

He pointed out that dealing with Egypt in the field of counter-terrorism will be close.

The Prime Minister said that his first visit abroad to Egypt is significant, and we await the visit of the President Sisi Iraq, stressing that he came to Egypt with an extended hand, and seeks to develop trade relations for the better between the two countries and higher as it is now.

For his part, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed Egypt's keenness to strengthen relations with Iraq in all fields. He welcomed the visit of the Prime Minister to Egypt, noting that Abdul Mahdi's visit is very significant as his first official visit since assuming the post of prime minister in his country and reflects the strong relationship between the two countries.

Al-Sisi added that Abdul-Mahdi's visit on Thursday underscored the common desire to establish a new era of cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations to achieve the aspirations of the two peoples in prosperity and development. It is an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Iraq in security achievements and liberate its territory from terrorism.

Sisi pointed out that Iraq has faced great difficulties, calling on the international community to put in place an effective mechanism to counter the movement of foreign fighters to other areas after the defeat of a supporter.

He pointed out that he touched on the political will and real resolve during the talks to complete the construction of a new Iraq that opens its arms to all its people and to strengthen relations in all fields, especially economic relations between Iraq and Egypt and Arab countries.