Cairo: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The meeting was attended by General Abdel Mageed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, along with Italy's Ambassador to Egypt, Michele Quaroni. According to State Information Service Egypt, the Italian minister conveyed greetings from Italy's prime minister, expressing appreciation for the historical relations between the two countries. President El-Sisi acknowledged this and emphasized the importance of further strengthening the momentum bilateral relations have gained. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between Egypt and Italy, particularly in military and security fields, to consolidate strategic bilateral relations and advance common interests amidst regional and international challenges and tensions. The meeting also addressed developments in the Palestinian territories and Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire. Both pa rties stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, humanitarian relief, and efforts to secure the release of hostages and captives, alongside the commencement of the reconstruction process. Both sides rejected the displacement of Palestinians from their land and underscored the importance of implementing the two-state solution to establish an independent Palestinian state as a means to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. Additionally, the meeting explored ways to strengthen cooperation in migration and combat illegal migration. The Italian Defence Minister appreciated Egypt's efforts, which have successfully prevented any boats carrying illegal migrants from departing Egyptian coasts to Europe since 2016, alongside ongoing coordination between the countries. Developments in Middle Eastern crises were also reviewed, with an emphasis on supporting peace efforts to consolidate security and stability while preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity. The meeting highlight ed Italy's strategy for engaging with Africa to enhance development and joint cooperation, presenting opportunities for Egypt to engage in projects with Italy.