Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday where they discussed ways to boost cooperation between the two countries in different fields, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement. El-Sisi held talks with Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The officials discussed bolstering bilateral ties as well as regional issues, including counterterrorism cooperation between Arab countries to cut off terrorist organisations' access to arms, funds and fighters, El-Sisi's office said in a statement. The leaders also stressed that "UAE-Egyptian relations are based on strong foundations of consensus and understanding on regional and international issues," UAE state news agency WAM reported. The two sides affirmed the importance of continued coordination between their countries and other Arab states to "confront challenges and crises facing the Arab region and address interference in the internal affairs of the [Arab] countries aiming to destabilise the region and undermine its security," the Egyptian presidency said. El-Sisi said that the "security of the Gulf is an integral part of Egyptian national security," his office said, while the Emirati leaders said Cairo's "security and stability are [part] of the security and stability of all Arabs," according to WAM. They affirmed their backing of Egypt in its fight against terrorism and extremism. El-Sisi arrived in the UAE after concluding his first official visit to Oman, where he discussed bilateral relations with Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. The United Arab Emirates is one of strongest allies of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, and like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has provided his government with billions of dollars in aid to stimulate the country's ailing economy. El-Sisi visited Abu Dhabi in September where he discussed joint counterterrorism efforts and bilateral relations with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
