President El-Sisi Meets the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, Director of the General Intelligence Service, Mr. Abbas Kamel, and the US Ambassador in Cairo, Jonathan Cohen.

President El-Sisi welcomed Senator Menendez in Cairo. The President confirmed that Egypt places huge importance on the constant engagement with Congress leaders, within the framework of the two countries’ consultations and coordination on various issues. The President underscored the robust and longstanding strategic relations that Egypt and the US share, reiterating Egypt’s commitment to further advancing bilateral relations, particularly in light of the troubled regional developments and the ensuing challenges, primarily the growing threat of terrorism.

Senator Menendez stressed that the US also accords great importance to its relations with Egypt, valuing the outstanding level their joint cooperation has reached. The Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee noted that Egypt is considered a cornerstone for security and stability in the Middle East and the Arab world, and is a key partner of the US in the region. He expressed his profound appreciation for Egypt’s role, under the leadership of President El-Sisi, in combating terrorism and extremist ideology and solidifying the noble concepts and values of freedom of belief, tolerance and the culture of acceptance of the other, in addition to its efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for its citizens.

The Spokesman of the Presidency said the meeting tackled current developments and crises in the region. There was an alignment in views with regard to the need to strengthen efforts toward reaching political solutions to these crises. These solutions shall ensure preserving the states’ territorial integrity, national institutions, and the resources of their peoples, while also emphasizing Egypt’s vital role in this regard.

Mr. Menendez also reiterated the US administration's appreciation for Egyptian efforts to restore calm in the Gaza Strip and contain the recent escalation. President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's position in support of the various efforts exerted to revitalize the peace process and resume negotiations. The President stressed Egypt's firm position in this regard, namely to reach a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state, in accordance with international references, opening up prospects for peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the region.

President El-Sisi and Senator Menendez also discussed developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue, in light of the existing and ongoing coordination between the two countries in this regard. President El-Sisi asserted the importance of adhering to the implementation of the recent presidential statement of the Security Council regarding the parties’ compliance to reach a legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a short period, in a manner that achieves the common interests of all parties.