Sisi affirms keenness to boost ties with Moscow

CAIRO - 16 October 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi confirmed on Tuesday Egypt's keenness to boost relations with Russia. Sisi's remarks were given while signing in the guests' book at the Russian Federal Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.

Russia's Federal Council's Chairwoman, Valentina Matviyenko, warmly received Sisi who wrote a historic message to the Russians. Egypt Today translates Sisi's words written in Arabic at the book of guests.

"It's a pleasure to visit the Russian Federal Council which plays a prominent role in enriching Russia's political arena. I'd like to affirm my keenness to boost the friendship bonds between Egyptian and Russian peoples, so both countries will upgrade the mutual cooperation in the coming stage to include all fields such as improving communication development and interaction between the two countries' parliaments."
Sisi has given a speech on Tuesday at the Federal Council in Moscow, marking the first foreign leader ever to deliver a speech at the upper house of the Russian parliament.

Here are some pieces of information about the Federal Council of the Republic of Russia:

• As Russia's parliament upper house, it has the power to ratify laws, agreements and conventions.

• It is the only authority which mandates the president to carry out a foreign intervention.

• It embraces representatives from the executive and legislative authorities across the country.

• It has acted as a liaison office since 1991 when it became a consultative entity.
Sisi manifested that relations with Russia have markedly improved over the past five years, according to state-owned news agency MENA on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

Signing a strategic cooperation deal between both countries during the visit reflects the strength of bilateral relations, Sisi added. For her part, Matviyenko expressed pleasure with president Sisi's visit, asserting that it will help push up bilateral relations, MENA indicated.