Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi attends the first League of Arab States (LAS)-EU Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Feb. 24, 2019. The first League of LAS-EU Summit started on Sunday in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, with the participation of more than 50 European and Arab countries. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Sunday that terrorism is spreading like a "plague," urging leaders attending the first League of Arab States (LAS)-EU Summit to stand together against it.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day LAS-EU summit held in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Sisi said terrorism was used by some states to spread chaos in neighboring countries.
"Today we need to confirm our unity and our cooperation to confront this danger and to stand together against this plague that cannot be justified," he said.
Speaking about the issue of illegal immigration from Arab countries to Europe, Sisi said this issue should be viewed as a way to cooperate.
Both regions can cooperate in order to guarantee a safe and organized migration that would realize different common interests, the Egyptian president explained.
"Egypt is hosting millions of refugees who are receiving education and health services as the Egyptians, despite the very difficult circumstances we have been passing through lately," Sisi noted.
On the Palestinian issue, Sisi said it is the first Arab cause and one of the main roots of the conflicts in the region.
"It represents the continued denial of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and the continuing destruction of Palestinian human rights," he noted.
The current situation is fuelled by the absence of a genuine political desire to reach a comprehensive and just settlement, Sisi stressed.
More than 50 European and Arab countries participated in the LAS-EU Summit, which was co-chaired by Sisi and EU President Donald Tusk.
Leaders from both sides will seek to strengthen ties and address a wide range of issues and common challenges, such as multilateralism, trade, investment, migration, security and regional situation.
The summit will also provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss the latest developments in the region, such as the Middle East peace process and the situation in Yemen, Libya and Syria.
