US Senator Menendez hails Egypt’s role in countering terrorism, establishing tolerance in meeting with Sisi

CAIRO – 14 October 2021: US democrat Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who serves as chair of the Senate’s Foreign Relations committee, hailed Egypt’s role in fighting terrorism and extremism and establishing tolerance.

In a meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday, Menendez expressed appreciation for Egypt’s role in promoting freedom of belief and the culture of acceptance of others.

He also hailed Egypt’s significant domestic efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for the benefit of citizens.

Menendez affirms that the US attaches great importance to its relations with Egypt, hailing the level of joint cooperation between the two countries.

He said Egypt is considered a pillar of security and stability in the Middle East and the Arab World and a pivotal partner for the US in the region.

Sisi, for his part, affirmed Egypt’s keenness to enhance the relations with the US especially amid turbulent regional situation and the escalating challenges, on top of which is the growing terrorism threat.

The meeting discussed current developments of regional issues. Sisi and Menendez agreed on the importance of accelerating to achieve political solutions to these crises in a way that preserves the countries’ unity and protects their national institutions and their peoples’ resources.

Menendez hailed Egypt’s efforts toward de-escalation in the Gaza Strip as it contained the recent escalation.

Sisi affirmed in this regard Egypt’s support to the various efforts seeking to activate the peace process and resume negotiations.

The Egyptian president also highlighted Egypt’s unwavering stance in this regard with the aim of reaching a fair and comprehensive solution that ensures the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international references.

Sisi and Menendez also discussed the developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue in light of the existing and continuous coordination between the two countries in this regard.

Sisi stressed the importance of adhering to the implementation of what was stated in the recent presidential statement of the UN Security Council regarding the parties’ compliance to reach a fair and binding legal agreement within a short period.

This agreement should guarantee clear rules for the process of filling and operating the dam in a way that achieves the common interests of all parties, Sisi explained.