Putin’s visit to focus on challenges in region

CAIRO – 10 December 2017: Viewpoints over the crises in Syria and Yemen, anti-terror efforts, as well as the Palestinian issue and the status of Jerusalem in light of the inability to reach a political settlement will be discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Egypt, according to Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.


In an interview with Russia Today news channel on Sunday, Shoukry stressed that Putin’s visit will enhance Russian-Egyptian relations and will help find new ways to reach the common goals.


“We have important relations with Russia in terms of exports and imports as well as major national projects,” Shoukry said.


When asked whether flights between Moscow and Cairo will resume soon, Shoukry remarked that there is no specific date and there are ongoing technical communications with the Russian Aviation Ministry. In addition, Egypt has benefitted from Russia's experiences which helped raise Egyptian capabilities to promote security measures in Egyptian airports.


“Resumption of flights under mutually beneficial conditions for the two sides will be pursued,” said Shoukry.


Regarding the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant deal with Russia, he noted that there are huge developments in many fields related to the national project regarding its design and funding.


Speaking about President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s statement regarding Egypt’s continued fight against terrorism on behalf of the world, he called for an international alliance to face terrorism in Sinai, noting that terrorists target Egypt in an effort to destabilize the country. He added that Egypt’s successes in combating terrorism will help protect its neighboring countries.


When asked whether the peace process would end after U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli's capital, he explained that the peace process will not end unless Palestine is able to restore its legitimate rights and establish itself as a state.


“This situation cannot continue; people cannot keep succumbing with capabilities and cadres under foreign occupation and by depriving them of their human rights, which come at the top of international relations and principles. Palestinians’ political, economic and social rights should be reserved,” Shoukry concluded.


Russian President Putin will visit Cairo on Monday, the Russian Kremlin said on Thursday.


A Russian delegation consisting of 35 officials arrived in Cairo on Thursday to prepare for Putin's visit to the capital, according to security forces at Cairo International Airport.


On Monday, President Sisi received a telephone call from Putin during which the presidents discussed Egypt’s first under-construction nuclear power plant (NPP) in Dabaa, Egyptian presidential spokesperson Ambassador Bassam Rady, remarked in a statement.


Both leaders will attend the inauguration of the NPP, located at the Mediterranean city of Dabaa in Marsa Matrouh, by the end of this year, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity, Mohamed Shaker, previously told Egypt Today.