Egyptian, Russian FMs discuss developments of Libyan crisis

CAIRO – 21 June 2020: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov discussed over the phone Sunday the developments of the Libyan crisis.

The ministers exchanged views on a number of other regional affairs, including the Palestinian Cause and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Hafez stated that Shokry and Lavrov also tackled bilateral relations and cooperation. They agreed on continuous political consultation over matters of mutual interest either.

Russia had backed the Cairo Declaration on Libya announced early in July by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Speaker of House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA). The declaration stipulates the necessity of a political solution.

Russia is establishing the Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ) in SCzone, and is collaborating with Egypt to build Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

Russian investments in RIZ infrastructure are worth $190 million. On the other hand, the project is estimated to attract investments worth $7 billion and create 150,000 job opportunities.

The plant consists of three RBMK-1000 reactors and a third-generation VVER-1200 reactor, which was introduced in full capacity in March 2018. A similar reactor is being constructed in Egypt at present within the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project.