Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi started on Monday his official visit to Russia with a meeting with the chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union Tigran Sargsyan, where they discussed boosting relations between Egypt and the union, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
Sisi and Tigran also discussed soon-to-be-held talks on a free-trade agreement between Egypt and the union.
The Eurasian Economic Union’s members include Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan.
Sisi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on Wednesday.
The Egyptian president said the free-trade agreement would double trade between Egypt and the union’s countries, especially with the ongoing development and renovation of Egypt’s infrastructure in electricity, energy, highways and ports.
Sargsyan expressed the union’s appreciation for its relationship with Egypt, adding that the union is keen to boost relations by starting the free-trade agreement talks with Egyptian officials, especially in light of the recent economic reforms in the country.
The trade volume between Egypt and the members of the EEU has hit around $7 billion, according to Egyptian trade commissioner in Moscow Nasser Hamed.
Source: Ahram Online
