My brother, Your Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazaouani,

President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me pleasure to welcome my brother, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazaouani, in his second country Egypt.

I would like to seize this opportunity to express Egypt’s huge appreciation for the profound historical bonds it shares with Mauritania, in light of the brotherly relations between the two countries and their peoples.

Today, I held intensive and constructive discussions with President El-Ghazaouani, during which we tackled various bilateral, regional and international issues. Our consultations have demonstrated our shared political will to strengthen the outstanding relations between the two countries, and promote them in an array of areas toward broader prospects by invigorating the frameworks of cooperation and coordination across all levels. This shall take into consideration the common challenges facing Egypt and Mauritania, including the challenges to achieve comprehensive development, counter foreign interference in the region, combat terrorism and extremist ideology and preserve the nation-state and its institutions.

In this regard, we agreed on further advancing cooperation in the economic, investment and trade fields, and on expediting the convening of the second round of the Egyptian-Mauritanian High Joint Committee this year. This aims to serve efforts toward fostering closer relations, deepening the bilateral partnership between the two countries, and strengthening frameworks of cooperation and coordination with regard to all issues of mutual concern.

We also touched on the latest developments on the Arab arena, and agreed on the importance of advancing mechanisms of joint Arab action in order to maintain Arab national security and protect the unity, sovereignty and resources of Arab states.

Moreover, we discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian cause and efforts exerted to maintain the rights of the Palestinian people and achieve their aspirations for an independent state, along the June 4, 1967 borders, with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital.

Our deliberations also focused on the latest in the Libyan crisis. We shared the same view regarding the importance of holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously and the departure of all foreign forces, mercenaries and foreign fighters with no exception within a set timeframe, in line with the relevant international resolutions.

We also consulted on the developments in the situation in Sudan and stressed the importance of declaring an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, preserving Sudan’s national institutions and preventing them from collapsing, and intensifying efforts to provide urgent humanitarian and relief aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected.

From this rostrum, we urge all parties to make the voice of wisdom prevail in order to preserve the capabilities of the Sudanese state and the interests of its people.

On the other hand, we addressed the Ethiopian "Renaissance Dam" file and its serious repercussions on the water security of the countries downstream of the Nile Basin. We emphasized that the Egyptian water security is an integral part of Arab water security. We stressed the importance of urging Ethiopia to show the political will to adopt any of the common ground solutions that were put on the negotiating table and that meet its interests, without encroaching on the rights and interests of the two downstream countries. This is in order to conclude a legally-binding agreement regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

We also agreed to strengthen our efforts on the African scene, in light of the vital role Egypt and Mauritania play in this regard. We agreed as well to continue coordination and cooperation within the framework of the African Union and continue efforts to support the structure of peace, security and development in the African continent. This is to enable it to overcome challenges and achieve prosperity and stability for all the peoples of our ancient continent.

Your Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El- Ghazouani,

It was a pleasure to meet you today and I look forward to fostering closer cooperation between our two countries in order to achieve the interests of our two brotherly peoples and fulfill their aspirations. I wish the Mauritanian people all good, stability and prosperity, under your wise leadership. Once again, I welcome you in your second country, Egypt.

Thank you