Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi arrived here yesterday for talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on major regional and international issues, including ways to contain Syrian crisis. They were to explore prospects of strengthening bilateral ties.

On arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Mursi was received by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Prince Bandar bin Salman, Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, and a number of princes, ministers and senior officials. Mursi and Prince Salman inspected a guard of honor at the airport.

Mursi, who is on his first official visit abroad after taking charge as president on June 30, was expected to discuss a number of important political and economic issues including Saudi investments in Egypt.

Analysts believe Mursi’s visit would open a new era in Saudi-Egyptian relations and enable both countries to play a significant role in bolstering regional security and stability. In a statement on the eve of his visit, Mursi reiterated Egypt considered Gulf security a red line that should not be crossed.

He added: “We hold King Abdullah and the Saudi people in high esteem and commend the king’s sincere efforts to strengthen Arab cooperation and ensure the success of Arab causes.”

Mursi said Saudi-Egyptian relations could be used as a model for Arab cooperation.

He added: “We’ll never forget Saudi Arabia’s stances in support of Arab countries. Our relations are getting better.”

Egyptian Minister of Economy and Trade Mahmoud Eisa highlighted the importance of Mursi’s visit, saying it would strengthen economic and commercial ties.

Saudi investments in Egypt will not be affected by the Jan. 25, 2011 revolution, he said.

“We will protect the investment of Saudis and others in Egypt.”

According to one report, two-way trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt reached more than $5 billion in 2011.

Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Auf emphasized the importance of the visit saying it would strengthen the strategic relations between the two countries.

He said: “There is nothing strange in President Mursi selecting Saudi Arabia for his first foreign visit. It reflects the important position of Saudi Arabia in the Islamic world.”

Auf said the president’s visit would open a new era in Saudi-Egyptian relations, benefiting the people of the two countries.

He commended Saudi Arabia’s financial support for Egypt to implement development projects.

Saudi Arabia has offered $ 1 billion to Egypt’s Central Bank after the election results were announced and another $ 500 million for general economic assistance.

The Kingdom also allocated $ 250 million for natural gas exports to Egypt.

Abdul Wahab Khidr, a well-known Egyptian writer, said: “The visit reflects the historic relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.”

King Abdul Aziz inaugurated the relations with Egypt by signing an agreement in 1926.