Cairo – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, on Saturday, who is visiting Cairo for the first time in years.
In a brief statement by the Egyptian presidency, it is stated that the talks have focused on the ties between the two countries and on other regional and global issues. He did not specify further details.
Al-Thani arrived in Cairo to meet Al-Sisi at the Itihadiya Presidential Palace. Both leaders toured the Guard of Honor and the band played the national anthems of Egypt and Qatar.
The Egyptian state newspaper Al-Ahram reported that the talks were aimed at achieving “full normalization” of relations between the two countries after relations resumed in early 2021.
According to an unnamed source, the newspaper said the two countries will sign deals that include Qatari investments in Egypt’s devastated economy.
During the visit, the Egypt-Qatar Business Council will meet to develop trade and investment between the countries. In March, Qatar announced it would invest $ 5 billion in the Egyptian economy, severely damaged by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Al Thani landed in Cairo at the end of Friday and was greeted at the airport by Al-Sisi with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek.
An incredible visit and a warm welcome a few years ago showed that relations between the two countries have developed rapidly since then. Completion of the Doha boycott by the four Arab states, including Egypt.
This came before President Joe Biden’s alleged trip to the Middle East next month. Al-Sisi and Al Thani will also participate in the Saudi Arabia Summit which will be hosted by the President of the United States. The summit will be attended by the leaders of the Cooperation Council of the Gulf, Iraq and Egypt.
Egypt’s ties with Qatar deteriorated when, as Defense Minister, in 2013, Sisi led the military overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi after a short-term divided government. Originally a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi was supported by Qatar.
In 2017, Egypt joined with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to boycott Qatar and force Doha to change its policy.
The split finally ended in 2021 when Qatar signed a declaration to normalize relations with the four. Since then, ties have developed and senior officials have exchanged visits.
Since then, the Egyptian president has met the Emir of Qatar twice.
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Source: Washington Post
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
