Sisi praises special relations between Egypt, Russia

CAIRO – 13 February 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi praised the special relations between Egypt and Russia during his meeting with Sergey Naryshkin, director of Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR RF), on Tuesday, February 13.

In an official statement issued by presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady, it was stated that Sisi and Naryshkin discussed several issues of mutual interest between the two countries, including the situation in the Middle East and confronting terrorism.

Sisi talked with Naryshkin about Egypt’s plans, efforts and strategies in confronting terrorism. He affirmed that defeating extremism all over the world demands international cooperation, as well as eliminating it on all levels, including security, military, political and intellectual.

The Egyptian president and Naryshkin were keen to discuss the two countries’ relationship and how to develop it. They exchanged different perspectives regarding the situation in the Middle East, especially the countries facing difficult crises. Sisi affirmed that Egypt has a stable stance regarding backing political solutions and countries’ unity in order to end people’s suffering.

Last December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted Russia’s support to Egypt in combating terrorism, stressing that Cairo and Moscow have strong strategic ties in trade and other fields.

In an interview with Russia Today satellite channel, Lavrov said, “Moscow has intensively cooperated with Cairo in all fields.”

He pointed out that Russia has expanded its cooperation with Egypt with the Dabaa nuclear power plant and the Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ) in Port Said.

On December 11, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Cairo to discuss regional issues and bilateral projects with President Sisi.

In November, Russia’s government published a draft agreement between Russia and Egypt allowing both countries to use each other’s air bases for military purposes.

According to the published agreement, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to hold negotiations with Egyptian officials and to sign the document once both sides reached a consensual agreement.