Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held talks today (Saturday) with Indonesian President Prayuwo Subianto, who is on an official visit to Cairo to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss regional developments.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his Indonesian counterpart, Prabowo Subianto.
The Egyptian president and his Indonesian counterpart discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries in line with the aspirations of their peoples. The two presidents signed a declaration elevating relations between the two countries to the level of strategic partnership.
The Egyptian-Indonesian talks addressed ways to enhance defense cooperation through training, capacity building, and expertise exchange, in light of growing regional and international challenges that require close coordination with sister and friendly countries, according to a statement by Egyptian presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy.
The two presidents discussed the steps required by the two countries' governments and private sectors to activate their strategic partnership, particularly in the areas of manufacturing, trade, investment, communications, information technology, food security, and energy, as well as strengthening ties between business institutions in the two countries to serve sustainable development and common interests.
During the talks, the two sides affirmed their commitment to continuing and strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries, as a natural extension of the shared cultural heritage between Egypt and Indonesia.
The situation in the Gaza Strip
The official spokesman said that the two presidents also discussed the situation in the Middle East, with Sisi reviewing Egyptian efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
The discussions emphasized the need to begin the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip without displacing its residents, leading to a comprehensive and permanent solution based on the principles of international legitimacy and guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is the only way to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in the region.
Following the talks, the Egyptian president accompanied his Indonesian counterpart to the Egyptian Military Academy, where they were received by Lieutenant General Ashraf Zaher, Director of the Academy. They were briefed on the academy's training and preparation programs.
The two presidents also watched two documentary films, one about the New Administrative Capital and the other about the Egyptian Military Academy, and visited the Equestrian Club at the military facility in the New Administrative Capital.
Egyptian-Indonesian relations
Egypt and Indonesia enjoy strong historical relations spanning more than seven decades, beginning with the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947 and strengthened through shared support for independence and development issues. Indonesia and Egypt are strategic partners in promoting South-South cooperation.
Relations have witnessed increasing momentum in recent years, with trade volume expected to reach $1.4 billion in 2023, and several agreements signed in the fields of agriculture, health, and education.
In the defense field, the two countries have signed memoranda of understanding to exchange military expertise and training since 2018, with a focus on counterterrorism and securing maritime routes, particularly given Indonesia's vital location overlooking the Strait of Malacca and Egypt's position as the gateway to the Suez Canal.
The two countries also share a common vision in support of the Palestinian cause, with Jakarta consistently condemning Israeli violations and Cairo supporting Indonesia's efforts to promote peace in the region.
Subianto, who assumed the presidency in October 2024, is making his first official visit to Egypt, focusing on strengthening economic and defense cooperation amid the geopolitical challenges facing the region, including the Gaza crisis and disruptions to global supply chains. The visit reflects the two countries' ambitions to deepen their strategic partnership, leveraging their political and economic weight in Africa and Asia.