President Sisi, Indonesian counterpart sign declaration to upgrade bilateral ties to strategic partnership

CAIRO – 12 April 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, where the two presidents signed a declaration to elevate bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.

 At the Presidential Palace, an official reception ceremony was held, national anthems were played, and the guard of honor was inspected, on Saturday.

The meeting started with bilateral talks, followed by expanded discussions between the two countries' delegations, said Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries to meet the aspirations of their peoples.

They also discussed the steps required by the two governments and private sectors to effectuate this partnership, particularly in the fields of manufacturing, trade, investment, communications and information technology, food security, and energy. This is in addition to strengthening ties between business institutions in the two countries to serve sustainable development and common interests.

The meeting covered ways to enhance defense cooperation through training, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise, in light of the mounting regional and international challenges that require close coordination with brotherly and friendly countries. Both sides affirmed their keenness to further strengthen cultural cooperation between the two countries, as a natural extension of the shared cultural heritage between Egypt and Indonesia.

The two presidents also discussed the situation in the Middle East. President El-Sisi highlighted Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid. In this regard, the two sides emphasized the need to begin the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip without displacing its people, leading to a comprehensive and permanent solution based on the principles of international legitimacy and guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, being the only way to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in the region.

Following the talks, the President accompanied his Indonesian counterpart to the Egyptian Military Academy. They were received by the Director of the Academy, Lieutenant General Ashraf Zaher. The Indonesian president was briefed on the preparation and training programs at the Academy. The two presidents also watched two documentary films about the New Administrative Capital and the Egyptian Military Academy. 

Later, President El-Sisi and President Prabowo Subiantovisited the Equestrian Club at the Academy in the New Administrative Capital. The Indonesian president was keen to praise the efficiency with which the Egyptian military cadres are being trained, and the discipline that characterizes these cadres, stressing his country's keenness to enhance cooperation with Egypt in this field.

In December 2024, President Sisi and President Prabowo Subianto held a bilateral meeting in Cairo. Their talks underlined keenness on enhancing bilateral ties in various domains and elevating the level of relations to the level of strategic partnership, especially in the political, economic, trade, military and cultural domains.

During the last year visit, President Abdel Fattah al Sisi said during a joint press conference that he and Indonesian counterpart agreed to establish a logistics zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) in partnership with government companies and private sector companies in both countries.

President Sisi also stressed the importance of relations and cooperation between the two countries, noting that there are approximately 15,000 Indonesian students studying at Al-Azhar and that Egypt is ready to increase the numbers.