President El-Sisi’s Speech at Joint Press Conference with President of Finland Stubb

alhadath – cairo

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”

It gives me pleasure to welcome His Excellency, President Alexander Stubb, and his accompanying delegation to Cairo. This visit holds particular significance, marking the first by a Finnish President to Egypt in years. The visit serves as a testament to the profound bilateral relations between Egypt and Finland, and further reflects a shared political will to advance relations toward broader prospects. This collaborative spirit is intended to realize the mutual interests of our two friendly nations and contribute to the promotion of regional and international development and stability.

Today, we held in-depth and constructive discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, and engaged in consultations and an exchange of views regarding the latest regional and international developments. We concurred about the necessity to build upon the cooperation achieved in recent years, and to work toward exploring new opportunities and spheres for partnership that reflect the significant potential possessed by both countries.

During our deliberations, we confirmed the vital need to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and create a conducive environment to increase the volume of bilateral trade between Egypt and Finland. We also stressed the importance of encouraging mutual investments and fostering enhanced engagement between the business communities of both countries.

In this context, I highly value His Excellency the President of Finland’s decision to be accompanied by a high-level delegation of Finnish businessmen and investors. This is demonstrably a clear commitment to forging closer economic and trade relations between our two countries and to taking concrete steps in this direction, particularly in light of the promising investment opportunities and the unprecedented development of infrastructure projects currently underway in Egypt.

His Excellency President Stubb and I also discussed ways to further cooperation across several sectors, notably those in which Finland possesses leading expertise, such as telecommunications and information technology, digital transformation, renewable energy, education, healthcare, advanced industries, as well as woodworking and mining.

We agreed on the importance of exchanging expertise and capacity building to support Egypt’s efforts in improving the education system and enhancing the efficiency of institutional performance.

Furthermore, our talks covered cooperation between Egypt and the European Union. We underscored the significance of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union, and the role Finland can play in supporting and advancing this partnership.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We also addressed a multitude of regional and international issues, particularly pertaining to the Middle East, as it navigates a series of complex developments whose repercussions extend far beyond the region’s borders.

In this context, we emphasized the necessity of persistent coordination among the various partners to achieve regional and international security and stability. I underscored Egypt’s unequivocal rejection and categorical condemnation of the unjustified aggressions against the Arab Gulf states and all other Arab nations. I reaffirmed our full support for the security of our brotherly Arab states, as it constitutes an inextricable part of Egypt’s national security.

I have briefed His Excellency the President of Finland on Egypt’s ongoing and determined efforts to achieve de-escalation and stability, and to prevent the region from sliding into a deep abyss of conflict. This is particularly critical given the fact that a significant portion of global trade passes through this region, rendering developments there a direct influence on energy and food security, as well as international navigation and trade.

In this context, I reiterate Egypt’s welcome of the current truce, which represents a positive development toward containing the escalation and fostering an environment conducive to the desired calm. We emphasize the imperative of seizing this opportunity to prioritize the diplomatic path, thereby bolstering the prospects for achieving peaceful solutions and mitigating the risks of a broader regional conflict.

Distinguished Guests,

Our discussions today addressed the Palestinian issue as well. I emphasized to His Excellency the President the critical importance of ensuring that attention remains focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, particularly in light of the exacerbated suffering and persistent violations endured by the Palestinian people. I underscored the necessity of intensifying efforts to ensure commitment to the ceasefire and the implementation of all provisions within the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza.

I also reviewed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed the vital necessity of preserving the territorial integrity of Palestinian lands. I reiterated our categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people or impose a fait accompli that contradicts the two-state solution.

The two-state solution remains the only viable path, agreed upon by the international community, to achieve a just settlement of the cause and a lasting peace in the region. This shall be realized through the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Our talks also focused on developments in Lebanon and Libya. I reviewed Egypt’s efforts to facilitate a ceasefire in Sudan and alleviate the humanitarian suffering, in close coordination with regional and international partners. In this regard, I reaffirmed the steadfast pillars of the Egyptian position, which advocate the preservation of Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity. We also maintain an absolute rejection of any attempts to partition the country or establish parallel entities, as such actions constitute a red line for Egypt’s national security.

Distinguished Guests,

My deliberations today with His Excellency the President of Finland reflected a profound alignment of visions with regard to a multitude of issues. We affirmed the abundance of significant opportunities to bolster bilateral cooperation across an array of fields, in a manner that serves the interests of our peoples and contributes to the promotion of development and prosperity.

Once again, I welcome His Excellency, President Alexander Stubb, to Egypt, and express my deep appreciation for this visit. I further reaffirm our commitment to advancing our collaboration to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations.

Thank you