CAIRO – 9 May 2022: Egypt’s Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki and Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), discussed on Monday issues of regional security of mutual concern in a meeting in Cairo.
During their meeting, Zaki and Kurilla discussed means of deepening military cooperation relations between the armed forces of Egypt and the United States, a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces spokesman said.
The CENTCOM commander affirmed the US appreciation of the partnership relations and extended cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.
Kurilla affirmed his aspiration that the coming period witnesses further joint cooperation in military fields, according to the statement.
The US commander praised the pivotal role played by the Egyptian state in achieving security, stability and balance in the region, stressing the deep strategic partnership relations between Egypt and the US
Osama Askar, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, earlier met with Kurilla and his accompanying delegation, where they discussed ways to enhance military cooperation relations regarding joint drills and exchange of expertise between the armed forces of the two countries.
Meeting with Sisi
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also received Kurilla on Monday at the Cairo-based Presidential Palace, where they discussed ways to advance military and security cooperation between Egypt and the US.
They also tackled cooperation in combating terrorism, joint training programs, border security, and the latest developments regarding a number of crises and files in the region, especially the security of the Red Sea, said Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady in a statement.
“It was agreed to continue regular bilateral consultation and coordination between the two sides on issues of common interest to the two friendly countries,” said Rady.
Sisi, during the meeting, stressed the importance of joint military cooperation between Egypt and the US.
Rady added that the Egypt-US relations are an essential pillar for maintaining peace and security in the Middle East. This comes especially amid the ongoing developments that require concerted efforts to confront the challenges threatening security and stability, foremost of which is terrorism.
Kurilla stressed his keenness to make Egypt the first stop of his foreign visits to the region since taking office in January 2022.
He also affirmed his country’s full solidarity with Egypt in combating terrorism as the most dangerous common challenge facing the region and threatening regional security as a whole, Rady added.
The US commander stressed that the US administration relies on the active and pivotal role that Egypt plays in the Middle East and North Africa in light of Sisi’s broad experience and deep understanding of the regional challenges.
Kurilla noted that this experience is reflected in efforts exerted by Egypt to enhance the regional peace and security that require the continuation of the joint Egyptian-US military cooperation and the development of strategic bilateral relations.
Kurilla also offered condolences to the president over the victims of the armed forces who were killed in the treacherous terrorist attack that took place on Saturday in Sinai.
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