Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday praised US President Donald Trump to support Egypt during the past few years, which has resulted in a quantum leap in the Egyptian-US relations.
Sisi’s comments came during a press conference that followed a bilateral summit at the White House in Washington.
The Egyptian president also said that his country is looking forward to strengthening cooperation with the US in all fields, including economically and militarily.
“We have never had a better relationship between Egypt and United States than we do right now,” El-Sisi said.
President Trump, welcoming Sisi to the White House on Tuesday, said that a lot of progress had been made with Egypt in terms of terrorism.
Trump, with Sisi at his side, also told reporters that they had important things to discuss about military issues and trade.
During the summit, Trump also hailed the warm welcome US first Lady Melania Trump received in Egypt during her visit last October. Trump also expressed his admiration for Egypt’s ancient heritage.
Sisi’s visit to Washington is his second since he assumed office in 2014.
US-Egyptian Relations
In early January, the US State Department released a fact sheet on US-Egyptian relations, describing Egypt as one of the United States’ longest-standing strategic partners in the Middle East.
The fact sheet said that the “deep commercial, security, and people-to-people relationships between our two countries are rooted in mutual interest and respect, as well as our shared commitment to combating terrorism and fostering the conditions for prosperity.”
In the fight against terror, the State Department highlighted that “the US and Egypt share many security interests and enjoy a strong security partnership, which includes cooperation on overflight requests and Suez Canal transit, and an unwavering commitment to the defeat of ISIS (the Islamic State group). Egypt also works to counter the flow of foreign fighters, material, and financial support to terrorists.”
The fact sheet also praised Egypt’s mediating role in the Middle East in cooperation with the US.
On promoting joint economic opportunities through a stable and prosperous Egyptian economy, the release affirmed that Egypt has one of the most diversified economies in the Middle East.
Source: Ahram Online
