President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Thursday in his speech during the inauguration ceremony of the new Suez Canal that the Egyptians had proved their capabilities to the world, Al Bawaba News reported. Sisi began his speech by greeting the attendees and thanking them for sharing the Egyptians' joy of the inauguration of the new canal. He stressed that the inauguration of the new canal had proved to the world the capabilities and potentials of the Egyptian people in overcoming all odds to achieve their targets. The president thanked his compatriots for their sacrifices, Suez Canal Authority, Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces for completing the drilling and construction of the new canal in a record time. He pointed out that Egypt had passed on its ancient civilization and principles to the world, stressing that the new canal was another gift from Egypt to the world. He praised the people of his country for enduring so much in order to achieve the dream of realizing the new canal. Sisi said his top priority was given to the Egyptian people in benefiting from the new canal, assuring the project was a first step within a thousand steps towards developing the country, like reclaiming the 1.000.000 acres project. Sisi stressed that more projects in the Suez Canal surroundings would be completed, pointing out to the developing of the axis of the canal, Port Said area, Ismailia governorate. He revealed plans to construct economic zone near the canal that allows trade exchange and logistics. Sisi highlighted the necessity of developing roads near Suez, Port Said and Ismailia. Moreover, he said that history will remember the struggle and sacrifice made by the Egyptians in order to inaugurate the new canal, explaining that it was completed amid economic and security difficulties. He referred to Egypt's role and efforts spent in fighting extremism and terrorism. The president reflected upon Egypt's efforts to show the true moderate nature of the Islamic teachings and renewal of religious discourse, pointing out to the presence of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, which shows tolerance between two religions. He predicted that Egypt would eventually achieve victory in its fight against terrorism, especially in Sinai, highlighting that the right strategic planning and self-sacrificing as the means to achieve this victory. Also, he revealed that he was sure that the project would be achieved in time, stressing that with hard work and investment, all can be accomplished. Additionally, he added that all countries of the world wanted Egypt to complete this project in time, saying that the project would ease global navigation and would provide a window to different cultures. Sisi confirmed that the future of the country would be promising, stressing that the martyrs of 30 June 2013 and 25 January 2011 revolutions have paid the price to get a bright future.
