Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi arrives in Abu Dhabi for visit

The UAE is Egypt's largest trading partner in the Middle East

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, right, receives Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi for Ministry of Presidential Affairs

From left: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, King Hamad of Bahrain and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai attend a reception held for Mr El Sisi, right, at Al Watan Palace. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Mr El Sisi inspect a guard of honour. The Egyptian leader arrived in Abu Dhabi for an official visit. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

From left: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Private Affairs Adviser in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme National Security Council, Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group Chief Executive of Adnoc, Lt Gen Hamad Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chief Executive and Managing Director of Mubadala Investment Company and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and Maj Gen Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member and Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, attend the reception. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Mr El Sisi is welcomed by various sheikhs and senior officials. Photo: Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

From left: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, King Hamad of Bahrain and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, with Mr El Sisi. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

From left: Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, and Ali Hammad Al Shamsi, watch proceedings. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

During the reception, the national anthems of the UAE and Egypt were played, followed by a 21-gun salute, state news agency Wam reported. Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi for Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed shared photos of the occasion online, saying he was happy to host a "dear guest". Photo: Abdulla Al Neyadi for Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has arrived in Abu Dhabi for an official visit.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, welcomed Mr Sisi and his delegation at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.

Mr El Sisi was accorded an official reception at Al Watan Palace where the national anthems of the UAE and Egypt were played, followed by a 21-gun salute, state news agency Wam reported.

Sheikh Mohamed shared photos of the occasion saying he was happy to host a "dear guest".

"I was pleased to welcome Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi as a dear guest to the UAE today," he wrote on Twitter.

"We discussed ways to strengthen the longstanding ties between our two nations. Our brotherly talks also covered issues related to regional stability and the well-being of our people."

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed said that "relations between the UAE and Egypt are historical and deeply rooted."

The two sides discussed co-operation and ways to deepen ties.

The leaders spoke about regional and international developments of mutual concern, and the challenges that some countries in the Arab world are facing.

They stressed the importance of promoting joint Arab action to strengthen regional security, stability and development.

Sheikh Mohamed praised Egypt’s firm position in condemning the Houthi attacks on civilian sites in the UAE.

Mr El Sisi reiterated the solidarity of his government and people with the Emirates following the attacks and supported the UAE for taking actions to protect its people.

The Egyptian leader said his country wants to play a central role in resolving regional crises, through resisting foreign interference, combating violence and terrorism, and protecting national institutions to help restore security and stability in affected countries.

At the end of the meeting, both sides said they would continue their efforts to address the challenges in the region, mainly terrorism and the countries that support it.

The two leaders also joined Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Bahrain’s King Hamad for talks at Qasr Al Watan.

The four discussed the prospects of further consolidating co-operation and co-ordination over issues of common concern, as well as the latest regional and international developments, and the common challenges facing the Arab region, state news agency Wam reported.

The UAE and Egypt have maintained close ties in recent years, with regular contact about regional issues.

In January, Mr El Sisi discussed enhancing relations and co-operation with Sheikh Mohamed.

In 2020, Egypt was the UAE's largest trading partner in the Middle East, Wam reported in December.

Trade between the two countries reached Dh15.09 billion ($4.11bn), up 22 per cent from Dh12.32bn in 2019.

Egyptian exports to the UAE market totalled Dh10.58bn in 2020, compared with Dh8.12bn in 2019.