Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Thursday received the US democrat Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, who serves as chair of the Senate’s Foreign Relations committee.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, and the US Ambassador Jonathan R. Cohen attended the meeting.
President Sisi welcomed Senator Menendez and pointed to the importance Egypt attaches to having continuous contacts with the US Congress leaders as part of the coordination and consultation between the two friendly countries on various issues, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.
President Sisi underscored the strong decades-old strategic relations between the two countries, referring to Egypt’s keenness to further consolidate these ties, particularly amid a turbulent regional situation, and the escalating challenges including the growing threat of terrorism, Spokesman Radi added.
For his part, Senator Menendez said the Untied States attaches great importance to its relations with Egypt. He highly appreciated the distinguished level of co-operation between the two countries, describing Egypt as a basic pillar of security and stability in the Middle East and the Arab World, as well as a pivotal partner of the US in the region, Radi noted.
He also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s successful role, under President Sisi, in countering terrorism and extremist ideology, establishing noble concepts and values of the freedom of faith, tolerance, and a culture of accepting others. He also referred to the ongoing Egypt’s efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for people’s benefit.
The meeting also reviewed the developments at the regional level, and the crises of the region. President Sisi and Senator Menendez agreed on the importance of expediting political solutions to these crises, in a manner that preserves the unity of countries and maintains their national institutions and the potentials of their peoples. Senator Menendez emphasised Egypt’s crucial role in this respect, Radi said.
Senator Menendez renewed the US administration’s appreciation for Egypt efforts to contain the recent escalation in Gaza Strip. In this context, President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for all efforts seeking to revive the Middle East peace process, and resume negotiations.
He also stressed Cairo’s unwavering stance regarding the need to reach a just and a comprehensive solution that guarantees the right of the Palestinian people to establishing their independent state in line with the international terms of reference. This, the president said, will open up prospects for peaceful coexistence for all peoples of the region.
President Sisi and the visiting US Senator also discussed the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)in light of the continuous coordination between Egypt and the US.
According to Spokesman Radi, President Sisi stressed the importance of commitment to applying the provisions of the recent UN Security Council’s Presidential Statement on the need for the parties to reach – in a short period – a fair and legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam that would achieve the interests of all parties.
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