After months of tension between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the leaders of both countries finally held a meeting to discuss their differences and find a way forward. The meeting, which took place in the Red Sea city of Neom, was attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The tension between the two countries began in April 2021, when Egypt signed a maritime border agreement with Greece and Cyprus that angered Saudi Arabia. The agreement demarcated an exclusive economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean, which included an area that Saudi Arabia claimed as its own.
The dispute between Egypt and Saudi Arabia escalated in May 2021, when Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry criticized the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar. Shoukry’s comments were seen as a departure from Egypt’s traditional alignment with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The meeting between el-Sisi and bin Salman was seen as an attempt to mend fences and restore the close relationship between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including regional security, economic cooperation, and the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to “strengthening the strategic partnership” between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. They also expressed their support for a political solution to the conflict in Yemen and called for an end to the violence in the country.
The meeting between el-Sisi and bin Salman was welcomed by many in the region, who saw it as a positive step towards resolving the tensions between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. However, some critics pointed out that the meeting did not address the underlying issues that led to the tension in the first place.
Despite these criticisms, the meeting between el-Sisi and bin Salman is a sign that both countries are willing to work together to resolve their differences. It is also a reminder of the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the many challenges facing the Middle East today.
