President El-Sisi Receives the Russian Foreign Minister

Today, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Ambassador in Cairo, Georgy Borisenko, and the Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Spokesman for the Presidency said that Lavrov conveyed to President El-Sisi a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who expressed appreciation and extended greetings to President El-Sisi. The letter touched on issues pertinent to bilateral cooperation, and underscored the importance Russia attaches to solidifying bilateral relations with Egypt, within the framework of the strategic partnership and cooperation agreement between Egypt and Russia through mega development projects that are currently being implemented. The letter also included The Russian President’s appreciation for Egypt’s initiative to form a ministerial liaison committee within the framework of the League of Arab States in an effort to settle the Ukrainian crisis and the visit to the Russian capital, Moscow, by the concerned foreign ministers.

President El-Sisi asked the Russian Foreign Minister to convey his greetings to President Putin, valuing the progress in bilateral cooperation, which is demonstrated in the Russian projects in Egypt, carried out within the framework of the Egyptian-Russian relations. Foremost of which is the establishment of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant and the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal axis as well as other investments and economic projects between the two countries in all sectors.

Foreign Minister Lavrov briefed President El-Sisi on the latest developments in the Ukrainian crisis and the latest Russian moves in this context at the international level. President El-Sisi stressed the importance of prioritizing the language of dialogue and diplomatic solutions to the crisis. The President affirmed Egypt’s support for all endeavors that would speed up settling the crisis politically in order to maintain international security and stability. The President also stressed Egypt's willingness to support this path through international contacts and movements with all active powers, within both the bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

The meeting also discussed bilateral issues within the context of the distinguished and historical cooperation between Egypt and Russia in various areas, particularly cooperation in the fields of grain and food supply, and in the oil and gas sector in light of the current crisis in those sectors.