Egypt, US discuss bilateral defense cooperation

CAIRO - 7 May 2020: Egyptian Defense Minister Gen. Mohamad Zaki received a phone call from his U.S. counterpart Mark T. Esper on Wednesday on the same day of the arrival of the German S-43 submarine to join the Egyptian Navy in Alexandria.

“Secretary Esper committed to work closely with Minister Zaki as Egypt modernizes its armed forces, including opportunities to tailor security cooperation to meet Egypt’s threat environment and to enhance U.S.-Egypt interoperability. This commitment symbolizes the enduring strength of the U.S.-Egypt relationship,” the statement read.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), both officials tackled the bilateral defense cooperation, and Egypt’s participation in the U.S. National Guard’s’ State Partnership Program.

The United States Secretary of Defense congratulated Egypt for joining the program, the statement added.

In addition to this, they tackled both countries’ efforts in combating the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Esper expressed his regret for postponing his planned travel to Egypt due to the COVID-19.

The Secretary also conveyed his appreciation for Egypt’s recent donation of Personal Protective Equipment [PPE] and other medical supplies to the United States.

On April 21, 2020, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi instructed to send medical aid to the United States to confront the Coronavirus pandemic. Egyptian military jets carried medical equipment, anesthesia drugs, and antibiotics as well as body bags, masks, and testing swabs.

The German S-43 submarine joined the Egyptian Navy in Alexandria on May 6; it is considered one of the most recent submarines around the world.