Sisi to meet Putin in Sochi on Oct. 17

CAIRO - 11 October 2018: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sochi, October 17.

According to statement issued by the Kremlin on Thursday, the two leaders will be discussing several issues of mutual interests and exchange views on current international affairs.

Earlier this month, Egypt's Presidency announced that Sisi is expected to pay a visit to Russia in October to meet with the Russian president; however, no official dates were mentioned.

Russian President's aide Yuri Ushakov said to media outlets that Moscow is making active contacts in preparation for a visit to be made by Sisi later this month. “Active preparations for the visit are underway. I can confirm that”, Ushakov told reporters.

Last March, Putin sent a cable congratulating President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on his victory in Egypt’s presidential election. “The results of the election clearly showed your value among your people [Egyptians], your approach to resolve urgent social and economic tasks, and also to enhance stability in your country,” read the cable.

Putin added, “I hope through our joint efforts, we will continue bilateral beneficial cooperation in all fields, coordination in regional and global issues, and confrontation of international security threats and challenges, which undoubtedly serve the interests of the two friendly people of our both countries.”

In November, Russia’s government published a draft agreement between Russia and Egypt allowing both countries to use each other’s air bases for military purposes.

On December 11, Putin visited Egypt for the second time since Sisi was sworn into office in May 2014. The visit showed increasing interest from the Kremlin to boost cooperation with Egypt after bilateral relations were knocked by the plane crash.