Moscow, Cairo keen on resuming flights to Egypt ASAP: statement

CAIRO – 29 May 2017: Resuming flights from Russia to Egypt “as soon as possible” and Cairo’s efforts with all factions in Libya to bring views closer together were discussed Monday by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Russian counterpart.

Shoukry and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov held extensive meetings in the framework of the 2+2 strategic talks, where the ministers of defense and foreign affairs of the two countries hold discussions on regular basis, according to a Monday statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Shoukry presented Egypt’s economic reform program, welcoming more economic and trade ties between the two countries.

The Egyptian minister described the Skhirat agreement between Libyan factions as “central,” noting there is consensus on amending some of its terms.
He lauded Russia’s role in the Astana agreement on Syria, hoping it would lead to comprehensive ceasefire.

They discussed the U.S. involvement in the revival of peace talks between the Israeli and Palestinians, and Lavrov emphasized that the role of the Quartet on the Middle East should be reactivate to support the efforts.

He also presented President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s counterterrorism strategy in the Islamic-American summit in Riyadh, where Sisi said “misguided and inaccurate terms such as violent extremism” should not be followed since all forms of extremism make “an intellectual basis for all terrorist acts in various parts of the world,” according to the statement.

Sisi will also meet Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at Cairo-based Presidential Palace on Monday.