FM Shoukry meets with US national security adviser, John Bolton

CAIRO – 7 August 2018: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday with US National Security Adviser John Bolton at their first ever meeting since the US official assumed his post.

Shoukry, currently visiting the US, said he is looking forward to working with Bolton to boost Cairo-Washington relations in a way that reflects how special and strategic they are, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement.

He underscored the importance of continuing efforts that aims to achieve mutual interests of the two countries.

Shoukry also presented a comprehensive review about the developments of conditions in Egypt, asserting the importance of the US support to Cairo in light of the current challenges besetting the Arab region.

The Egyptian top diplomat also called for holding the upcoming round of strategic dialogue and the 2+2 dialogue meetings between the two countries' ministers of foreign affairs and defense with the aim of discussing means to foster bilateral ties and exchanging views about regional and international issues of mutual concern.

As for the US aid program to Egypt, Shoukry said it reflects the importance of Cairo-Washington historic relations, achieves mutual interests, enhances Egypt's capability of combating security challenges and maintains peace and security in the region.

Meanwhile, Bolton said the US administration wants to keep the strategic nature of relations with Cairo and believes that Egypt is playing a pivotal role in maintaining stability and balance in the Middle East.

The US official was briefed by Shoukry on Egypt's anti-terrorism efforts, particularly with regard to the success achieved by the Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018.

He was also keen to know Egypt's vision and assessment of the conditions and developments in the Middle East, especially in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Palestine.

In this regard, the two sides discussed ways to overcome the deadlock reached in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

Shoukry met as well with heads of several US companies investing or willing to invest in Egypt, topped by ExxonMobil, Honeywell and Cargill.

During a business lunch organized by the US Chamber of Commerce, Shoukry reviewed Egypt's economic reform program and efforts exerted by the Egyptian government to improve the economic sector and attract more investments into the country, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said.

They also discussed means of increasing the volume of trade exchange between the two countries in a manner that serves the interests of the Egyptian and American peoples.

The strategic partnership between Egypt and the US requires that both countries strengthen mutual cooperation in all fields, not only in the oil sector, Shoukry noted.

The top Egyptian diplomat briefed the US investors on how the new investment law paves the way for businessmen to invest in Egypt.

The Egyptian government gives priority to the health and educational sectors, making it necessary to improve skills and capabilities of Egypt's manpower, he pointed out.

Shoukry further called on the US investors to do business in the SCZone and make use of the incentives offered by the Egyptian government there, noting that the Suez Canal Axis project will turn Egypt into a regional and international commercial hub.

The US businessmen, meanwhile, praised the mega projects established in Egypt over the past period.