CAIRO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met here on Saturday, during which they emphasized their shared commitment to enhancing strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Al-Sisi expressed appreciation for the steady growth of bilateral relations across political, economic, and commercial domains, according to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency.

He highlighted the importance of advancing key joint projects, including the Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the Dabaa nuclear energy plant, the statement said.

Lavrov affirmed Russia's commitment to building on the understandings reached during al-Sisi's visit to Russia in May, aiming to broaden prospects for bilateral relations, the statement added.

The two sides also discussed the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, held Saturday in Cairo, viewing it as an important platform to deepen partnership and economic cooperation.

Regional and global issues of mutual concern were also reviewed, including the situations in Gaza, Sudan, and Libya, the statement noted.

Both sides stressed the pressing need to end the war in Gaza, consolidate the ceasefire, and prevent further escalation in the region. Lavrov commended Egypt's role in supporting regional stability, the statement said.

Discussions also touched upon the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with al-Sisi reiterating Egypt's support for political solutions, according to the statement. Enditem