Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to Abu Dhabi

Crown Prince greets El Sisi at start of state visit to UAE

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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed a "good friend" from a "great country" on Wednesday as Egypt's president embarked on a two-day state visit to the UAE.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces greeted Abdel Fattah El Sisi as he arrived in the capital on Wednesday.

Sheikh Mohamed met the visiting leader at the Presidential Flight Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport along with a high-level delegation of ministers and senior officials.

They included Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State.

In a brief stop at the airport's VIP Lounge, Sheikh Mohamed and the president enjoyed cordial talks about the fraternal ties binding their respective nations.

Mr El Sisi was last in the UAE in February 2018 and the two countries have maintained close ties over recent years, working together on key issues such as the fight against terrorism.

"I welcome the guest of a great country, a good friend, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi," Sheikh Mohamed tweeted.

"The relationship between the UAE and Egypt is historic and strategic, and we have a common will to strengthen and develop them to serve our two countries and people.”

The two are due to discuss the "brotherly relationship" between their countries and ways to strengthen co-operation, the state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohamed followed up a visit to Cairo in August 2018 with trips to Egypt in March and May this year.

The regular engagements are a sign of the strong relationship between the two leaders.

Mr El Sisi, a former general and Egyptian defence minister, was elected president in 2014.

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A history of UAE and Egyptian relations