Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh stressed the importance of enhancing economic and trade cooperation at a Monday press conference in Cairo that preceded the signing of memorandums of understanding between the two countries

El-Sisi said that his meeting with Guelleh saw fruitful talks on ways of boosting the special ties between the two countries.

El-Sisi also said that the two leaders agreed on increasing Egyptian companies’ activities in different fields in Djibouti, including energy, construction and medicine, as well as boosting cooperation and an exchange of experience between Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority and the Port of Djibouti.

Egypt and Djibouti have signed seven memorandums of understanding in the fields of exports and imports, agriculture, technical education, trade cooperation, international cooperation, health and maritime ports.

The Egyptian president also said they have both agreed on continued Egyptian support in Djibouti in the fields of education, health, and capacity building.

El-Sisi said that the meeting witnessed talks about several regional issues, including the situations in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, as well as preparations for the African Union Summit set to take place in Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa in January.

“I would like to point to the importance of Djibouti’s strategic location on the Horn of Africa and its direct relationship with the security of the Red Sea area,” El-Sisi said.

Djibouti’s maritime border is located on the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, through which vessels navigating Egypt’s Suez Canal pass.

Djibouti also hosts US, French and Japanese military bases.

Guelph stressed the deep relationship and solidarity between the two countries.

He also asserted his commitment to promoting and strengthening relations between Egypt and Djibouti so as to be better equipped to face different challenges.

Over the past month, Egypt has received multiple African leaders, including those of Kenya and Eritrea, who expressed readiness to boost bilateral cooperation with Egypt.