Sisi, Putin agree on intensifying Egyptian-Russian efforts, coordination to settle Libyan crisis

CAIRO – 25 December 2021: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, agreed on intensifying joint efforts and coordination between Egypt and Russia to settle the Libyan crisis.

In a phone call on Saturday, Sisi affirmed to Putin Egypt’s continued efforts and endeavors to bring the views of the Libyan brothers together, Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement.

This comes so that Libya crosses the current transitional period and activate the free will of people in choosing their leaders and representatives, Sisi affirmed.

The presidents agreed to enhance coordination to settle the crisis in Libya to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people in a better future, face and undermine the armed militias and terrorist organisations, and put an end to the illegal foreign interference in the Libyan aspects.

Egyptian-Russian relations

During the phone call, Sisi stressed Egypt’s aspiration to deepen the bilateral cooperation with Russia at all levels.

This comes as an extension of the vital projects that are implemented in Egypt through the cooperation between the two countries, on top of which is the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal axis.

These projects should consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between the Egyptian and Russian sides and deepen the friendship and bilateral cooperation links between the peoples of the two countries, Sisi explained.

For his part, Putin underscored the importance Russia attaches to developing the bilateral relations with Egypt during the coming period within the framework of strategic partnership and cooperation agreement between the two countries.

Bilateral cooperation, recent visits

In August, Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki signed with his Russian counterpart, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a cooperation protocol that tackles different military and security aspects.

 

Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry visited in Moscow in October and met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

They discussed latest developments on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and efforts to reach a binding legal solution on filling and operating the dam.

Shoukry noted that during their talks, they tackled a number of regional issues, atop of which is ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and reinforcing two-state solution.

Shoukry added that they discussed the situation in Syria, Libya and the ‘historic relations’ between the two countries.

He stressed that Egypt is keen on ending the conflict in Syria, achieving stability, security and preserving the country’s unity.

Shoukry expressed appreciation for the periodical meetings being held between the Egyptian and Russian sides at a ministerial level and the convocation of the joint trade committee.

The Egyptian foreign minister said he hopes trade exchange, that was adversely affected by the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic, would return to previous levels.

The Russian top diplomat said the economic government committee for trade cooperation with Egypt discussed the latest developments in Egyptian-Russian relations.

Lavrov said his country supports Libya's election process and efforts to form a unified armed force, pointing out the two countries see eye to eye on the importance of the withdrawal of foreign troops.

The Russian foreign minister praised the UN diplomatic mission in Libya to achieve settlement to the Libyan crisis.