Egyptian ministers discuss Sisi’s Washington visit on the ground

CAIRO – 3 April 2017: Egyptian ministers accompanying President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on his trip to Washington, D.C. spoke about their views of the visit and its expected outcomes in separate interviews with Egyptian CBC correspondents on the ground in Washington.

Foreign Ministry Sameh Shoukry said “Egypt eyes the return of bilateral relations between Egypt and the U.S. to normal,” affirming that both parties have repeatedly admitted that “the need is mutual.”

Shoukry added in an interview with anchor Lamees El Hadidy that strengthening relations between the U.S. and Egypt is essential for regional stability and fighting terrorism,

Youm7 reported

Monday.

The Washington meeting’s agenda prioritizes furthering bilateral relations, fighting terrorism and discussing Egypt's current economic reform plans, which Washington has praised, Shoukry added.

In terms of fighting terrorism, Shoukry said Egypt will ensure the U.S. is aware that suspending military aid to Egypt would have a negative impact on the Egyptian armed forces improvement capabilities.

The U.S. gives Egypt an annual $1.3 billion military aid package which was partially suspended in August 2013 following the dispersal of pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-ins at Rabaa Al-Adaweya and Nahda squares on August 14, 2013. In April 2014, the United States lifted the suspension by delivering 10 helicopters.

Speaking about the Muslim Brotherhood, Shoukry emphasized that Brotherhood-related discussions have already been raised by the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress.

He added that Egypt moved forward decisively by legally designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist group in 2013, which he said “goes in line with the States' interests.”

Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr

told CBC

that Egypt works hard to create a comfortable and attractive work environment for investors, pointing out that the chairman of the World Bank praised Sisi for his leadership role in the region as well as Egypt’s current economic reform plan.

“The World Bank has been collaborating with Egypt for many years, but this is the first time the World Banks has seen such a bold reform program [in Egypt] so they were keen to pump large amounts of money into Egypt,” Nasr added.

Finance Minister Amr el-Garhy said in a

televised interview

with CBC that “meeting with international bank officials was highly fruitful.” He said the latter showed their readiness to help Egypt financially or in terms of technical assistance.

Garhy emphasized that bringing U.S. investment to Egypt is one of the objectives of Sisi's visit to Washington.

Sisi is currently in Washington to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time since the latter’s inauguration in January.