Saudi Arabia and Egypt have pushed a joint initiative to boost regional security and cooperation amid the pressing challenges facing the region.
The Arab League (AL) Ministerial Council adopted the initiative during its 164th session in Cairo, demonstrating a unified Arab consensus on establishing a coherent framework for regional security and cooperation.
Saudi-Egyptian Initiative
On Thursday, the AL Ministerial Council adopted a resolution titled “A Joint Vision for Security and Cooperation in the Region,” prepared by Cairo as part of a framework for “future arrangements.” It is a Saudi-Egyptian initiative that aims to boost security and cooperation across the region.
The resolution represents a unified Arab consensus to establish a coherent framework for regional security and cooperation, based on international law and designed to address the region’s critical challenges, according to the Middle East News Agency (MENA).
Establishing Joint Vision
Egypt praised the adoption of the resolution by the AL Council, highlighting some of the key principles under the resolution. In a statement on Friday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry emphasized that no party should be permitted to dominate the region or impose unilateral security arrangements that undermine its security and stability.
In the light of this, Egypt said that regional security is based on the strict adherence to the governing principles set out in the resolution. These principles include respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and the rejection of military force outside the framework of international legitimacy.
The resolution stressed the Arab States’ legitimate right to set governing principles for regional arrangements, as well as their right to present a vision for a security and cooperation system based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, compliance with international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. This vision defines ending the occupation as the only path to lay the foundations for a just and enduring peace.
Strong Arab Leadership
The adoption of the resolution underscores the Arab responsible role in setting clear rules to bolster security and stability in the region, the Egyptian statement added.
Furthermore, it sends a clear message that the region’s stability can only be achieved through the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the rejection of coercive policies and unilateral actions, the end to occupation, and the establishment of political and economic prospects that bring peace and prosperity to the peoples of the region.
Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to working with Arab countries and international partners to take tangible steps that transform the resolution into real actions that enhance regional security, restore momentum to efforts aimed at reaching a just and comprehensive settlement for the Palestinian cause, and promote a regional framework based on mutual interests, respect for international law, and the equal sovereignty and security of all states.
The statement also called for continued pressure for decisive measures to end Israeli violations, emphasizing that the ongoing stalemate in the peace process fuels instability, extremism, hatred, and violence regionally and globally.
A Step Forward
The AL Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, commended the adoption of the Saudi-Egyptian initiative, which he called “significant,” according to Asharq Al-Awsat. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Aboul Gheit said that the initiative “condemns any proposal that threatens the sovereignty and unity of Arab countries and stresses the need to end Israeli occupation of the Arab territories.”
Meanwhile, the Saudi permanent envoy to the Arab League, Ambassador Abdulaziz al-Matar, described the initiative as a “step forward,” adding that it was the product of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Saudi-Egyptian Coordination
The initiative reflects the ongoing coordination between Saudi Arabia and Egypt to tackle security threats and regional challenges. During a meeting between the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, and the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, during his visit to the Kingdom, both leaders discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, most notably the situation in Gaza.
In the light of this, the Egyptian President stressed Cairo’s support for Saudi Arabia’s initiatives on the Palestinian cause, including the recent International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia and Egypt reaffirmed their willingness to continue joint coordination and consultation, particularly amid the rapid developments in the Middle East, stressing the importance of supporting the stability of the region’s countries and safeguarding their territorial unity and national institutions’ integrity.
Most recently, Saudi Arabia and Egypt signed a cooperation protocol to support maritime security efforts in the region, during an official visit by the Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Ghraibi, to the Egyptian Naval Command in Alexandria.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia is taking part in the Bright Star 2025 Exercise in Egypt to enhance expertise exchange, promote joint operational concepts, and boost the readiness and operational coordination of the participating forces.
