SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Sunday, February 24, 2019 (WAFA) – Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi King Salman said on Sunday that the Palestinian cause remains the central cause of all Arab countries.

"Shared challenges have been embodied in the hotbeds of conflict in the region, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, which is the central and primary cause of the Arabs," President Sisi said during his speech at the first Arab League-European Union summit being held in Egypt‘s Sharm al-Sheikh city.

He added that the Palestinian cause is one of the main roots of the regional conflicts.

"I cannot but warn of the repercussions of the continuation of this conflict on all our countries," he said.

For his part, Saudi Arabia‘s King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz asserted the importance of the Palestinian cause, praising EU countries‘ stances on the issue.

"The Palestinian cause is a priority for Arab states, and efforts should be made to retrieve the rights of the Palestinian people," he said.

Launched today, leaders and government heads of 28 European countries and 21 Arab states will meet during the two-day summit to discuss joint challenges and boost mutual cooperation opportunities.

This is the first ever platform that brings together the Arab and European heads of state and government to tackle the pressing issues, atop of which terrorism, organized crime and illegal immigration.

A.D./M.K.