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
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Sheikh Zayed and Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum pictured in Abu Dhabi in the 1970s. Stephen Lock / The National -
Umm Kulthum, Egyptian singer, performs in Abu Dhabi in the 1970s. Courtesy of Al Ittihad -
Egyptian Defense Minister and Military Chief General Abdel Fattah El Sisi (C) salutes as he is welcomed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi (R) upon arrival to Abu Dhabi, on March 11, 2014. Wam -
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi meets received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in Abu Dhabi in February 6, 2018. AFP -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, bids farewell to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi after their meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2017. AFP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, stands by as Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, presents Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, with an award during the Zayed Future Energy Prize Awards ceremony at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, on January 19, 2015. EPA -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, stands for a photograph with Abdel Fattah El Sisi President of Egypt, at Ras El Tin Palace in Alexandria, Egypt. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt, inspect projects at Al Alamein city. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is received by Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt, upon arrival at Cairo international Airport in May. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt, at Cairo international Airport. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, meets with Abdel Fattah El Sisi President of Egypt, in Cairo. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of Egypt, signs the guests book during a tour at Al Alamein Military Museum. Seen with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, listen to Egyptian investment minister Ashraf Salman (3rdR) as they look at a scale model of the new Egyptian capital Cairo displayed at the congress hall in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, in March 2015. AFP
