Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Wednesday received high-level delegation from the US House of Representative, led by Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The visiting delegation included a number of heads of the council’s committees from both the Republican and Democratic Parties, including Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Appropriations, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, of the Homeland Security, Presidency Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Speaker of the House of Representatives Hanafi el-Gebali.
Spokesman for the Presidency Counselor Ahmed Fahmy said the meeting confirmed the deep longstanding strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States, as well as the close and multifold relations they share.
President Sisi stressed that Egypt attaches importance to communicating with the US Congress leaders as part of the coordination and consultation between the two friendly countries at various levels, in light of regional tension and the resulting mounting challenges, which led to crises in energy, food, and finance that negatively affected many countries, Spokesman Fahmy said.
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives affirmed his country’s great appreciation for Egypt’s pivotal role in consolidating security, stability and peace in the Middle East, and the keenness of the United States to continue advancing cooperation between the two countries across various levels and fields.
The meeting between President Sisi and the US delegation also discussed ways to restore and consolidate international peace and security and address relevant developments as well as regional developments and crises, mainly the situation in Sudan.
President Sisi stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to find political solutions to existing crises, in order to preserve the unity of states, safeguard peoples’ capabilities and prevent chaos and destruction, Spokesman Fahmy said.
The President confirmed that Egypt exerts utmost efforts to promote peaceful political dialogue in Sudan and ceasefire as well as protect civilians from the humanitarian repercussions of the conflict.
Referring to the Palestinian issue, President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering position on the necessity of concluding a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state in accordance with the relevant international references. This will help open fresh prospects of peaceful coexistence, development and prosperity for all peoples in the region.
The Speaker of the US House of Representatives said that the US administration positively values the Egyptian efforts, in this regard, noting Egypt’s active role in maintaining calm between the Israeli and Palestinian sides and pushing for the revitalization of the peace process.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held separate talks with the House of Representatives delegation during which he voiced hopes of advancing the strategic ties between the two countries at all levels.
Shoukry reviewed Egypt’s efforts to boost security, peace and prosperity in the region, through supporting the Middle East peace process, as well as handling other regional crises, and backing the economic frameworks that promote regional integration, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said.
Shoukry stressed the importance of the role of the US Congress in supporting and developing partnership between both countries as it serves their mutual interests, Abu Zeid added.
This partnership has contributed to boosting regional stability for many decades, the chief diplomat said.
