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Egypt keen to boost coordination with new US administration: Sisi
Egypt ‘keen’ to boost coordination with new US administration: Sisi
Ahram Online , Friday 3 Feb 2017
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/257480/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-keen-to-boost-coordination-with-new-US-admin.aspx
Egypt is keen to increase coordination with new US administration, Egypt’s
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told a delegation from the Middle East
Institute on Thursday.
According to an official statement by the president’s office, El-Sisi said
that Egypt is hoping to boost strategic relations with the US in the
upcoming period, to restore momentum in the bilateral relationship, and to
develop the relationship in several fields.
The president said that current regional and international challenges call
for a strengthening in dialogue between the two countries in way that leads
to positive reflections on the national security of the two countries.
El-Sisi also presented during the meeting domestic developments, pointing at
the security challenges facing Egypt due to terrorism and Egypt’s role in
changing popular discourse in religion used by terrorist organisations
through Egypt’s Al-Azhar.
The president also stressed Egypt’s keenness for continued efforts to revive
the peace process between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, adding that
reaching a permanent and fair solution to the Palestinian cause would
provide a “new reality” that accomplishes the interests of all countries in
the region.
The MEI delegation, lead by the institution’s president Wendy J. Chamberlin,
underlined the necessity of boosting bilateral relations and turning the
relationship into a real partnership between the two countries, according to
the president’s statement.
They also affirmed Egypt’s pivotal role in the Middle East as a main pillar
of security and stability in the region. The DC-based thinktank’s delegation
also said that they are planning to visit Egypt every year to stay informed
of Egypt’s vision in the region especially in the light of the latest
developments and crises.
They praised the steps undergone by Egypt in fighting terrorism, as well as
moves by the Egyptian government to improve the economy, the statement read.
In November the Egyptian government floated the pound, in face of declining
foreign reserves caused by a drop in tourism and foreign investment. Other
fiscal reforms have also been introduced, including an increase in energy
prices.
The pound has since dropped to approximately 19 to the dollar, down from a
previous set rate of 8.8 to the dollar, while inflation has increased.
The delegation added that Thursday’s visit was given an importance as a
visit by El-Sisi to Washington DC is being planned.
In January US President Donald Trump invited his Egyptian counterpart to
visit the US; he has also told El-Sisi that his administration is committed
to maintaining the US’s annual military aid to Egypt.
Egypt annually receives $1.3 billion in military aid from the United States.
Source: http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=72129
