President El-Sisi, Russian Security Chief discuss bilateral ties

CAIRO - 27 September 2023: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed Nikolai Patrushev, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, in a meeting attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, General Abbas Kamel, the Chief of General Intelligence, Faiyza Aboulnaga, the President's National Security Advisor, and several top-ranking Russian officials.

Presidency spokesperson, Ahmed Fahmi, reported that the Russian Security Council Secretary conveyed greetings and appreciation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Patrushev emphasized Russia's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Egypt, particularly within the framework of the strategic partnership and cooperation agreement between the two nations.

President El-Sisi relayed his sincere greetings to President Putin, expressing gratitude for the bilateral cooperation trajectory. He highlighted the increasing trade exchange and joint developmental projects underway. Prominent among these are the establishment of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant for electricity generation and the Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal.

The spokesperson added that Patrushev briefed the Egyptian President on the latest developments regarding the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and Russia's international movements in this context. President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's stance on the importance of diplomatic solutions to the crisis, supporting all efforts aimed at its rapid political resolution to maintain global peace and security. He also emphasized the negative economic repercussions, which have significantly impacted emerging economies, especially in terms of global food security that faces serious threats.

Additionally, the meeting discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations across various fields, as well as an exchange of views on regional and international topics of mutual interest.

Egypt and Russia have historically enjoyed a robust bilateral relationship, which has been characterized by political, economic, and military cooperation. Both nations have collaborated on several strategic projects and have often found common ground on various international issues. The meeting between President El-Sisi and Nikolai Patrushev underscores the commitment both countries have towards strengthening their relationship and discussing pressing international challenges, including the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.