CAIRO – Egypt and the US reaffirmed the importance of Egypt-US strategic partnership and identified areas to deepen bilateral and regional co-operation, including economic, commercial affairs, education, cultural issues, consular affairs, human rights, justice and law enforcement, defence and security fields as the two sides agreed on the importance of holding this dialogue on a regular basis.
In a joint statement released late Tuesday on Egypt-US strategic dialogue led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken on November 8-9, 2021, in Washington, D.C, the two sides noted the coming centennial of Egypt-US diplomatic relations in 2022 and reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to the national security of both countries and to the stability of the Middle East.
Egypt commended the US role in economic development in Egypt and its supply of defence equipment and joint co-operation to reinforce Egypt’s defence capabilities, the statement said.
The United States expressed its appreciation for Egypt’s leadership in mediating solutions to regional conflicts, notably in promoting peace and ending violence in Gaza, it added.
Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the United States reiterated President Biden’s support for Egypt’s water security, the statement said.
Egypt and the US called for the resumption of negotiations over an agreement on the GERD under the auspices of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), in line with the Presidential Statement of the United Nations Security Council of September 15, 2021 and the 2015 Agreement on Declaration of Principles, it added.
They stressed the importance of holding elections in Libya on December 24, and backed the action plan of the Libyan [5+5] Joint Military Commission for the removal of all foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries, the statement read.
Egyptian and US counterparts also discussed Sudan and resolving regional conflicts and humanitarian crises in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and agreed to continue high-level consultations on Middle East and African issues, it said.
The two sides held a constructive dialogue on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including civil and political rights, freedom of expression, fighting racism, women’s empowerment, and economic, social, and cultural rights, the dialogue also covered human rights in multilateral fora, the statement said.
Egypt welcomed the election of the United States to the UN Human Rights Council. The United States welcomed Egypt’s National Human Rights Strategy and national plans to advance human rights in the country in co-operation with civil society, as the two sides agreed to continue dialogue on human rights, it added.
The two delegations reaffirmed their shared commitment to broaden and deepen bilateral economic and commercial cooperation, and to co-operate closely on climate issues, said the statement.
They shared ideas on increasing investment in their respective economies, providing more opportunities for their people, and combating the climate crisis, it added.
The United States welcomed Egypt’s nomination by the AU to host COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh and provide leadership as the incoming COP27 presidency in advancing global climate ambitions, noted the statement.
The United States commended Egypt on its progress in developing green energy and intentions to pursue ambitious climate targets, it said.
Egypt and the US announced the launch of a high-level Joint Economic Commission, formation of a joint Egypt-US Climate Working Group, plans for a green economy trade mission, and a new USAID trade reform programme. Both sides also expressed intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EXIM and the Egyptian Ministry of Finance, added the statement.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral defence co-operation to meet current and future challenges, including in the field of counterterrorism and border and maritime security, according to the statement.
Building upon the successful completion of the 32nd Egypt-US Military Co-operation Committee, and the multinational exercise Bright Star 2021, Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to active participation in the Combined Maritime Forces, it said.
The United States noted the significance of Egypt’s recent $1 billion nationally funded contract to refurbish Egyptian Apache helicopters, supporting hundreds of US jobs and increasing Egyptian readiness, added the statement.
The United States and Egypt committed to discussing best practices in reducing civilian harm in military operations, both sides also noted the recent State Partnership Program between Egypt and the Texas National Guard as an opportunity to increase cooperation, they also noted the signature of the Acquisition and Cross Service MoU, which gives flexibility to bilateral logistic support, it said.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing diplomatic and consular co-operation, noted the statement.
Egypt and the United States announced their intention to strengthen judicial and law-enforcement co-operation to combat transnational crime by sharing, as appropriate and consistent with international legal standards, evidence and information used to investigate and prosecute these crimes, it said.
Egypt and the US signed an MoU intended to facilitate and promote expeditious co-operation under their Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which entered into force on November 29, 2001, added the statement.
The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen educational and cultural co-operation. In that connection, participants discussed the expansion of people-to-people ties across educational, cultural, scientific and environmental exchanges and collaboration on programs such as the Fulbright, International Visitor Leadership, and US Speakers programs, it said.
In addition, both sides emphasised the importance of cultural heritage protection and preservation through the framework of Egypt-US Cultural Property Agreement, the two delegations reaffirmed their commitment to scientific cooperation through the Egyptian-American Science and Technology Joint Fund, which was strengthened by the recent renewal of the Egypt-US Science and Technology Agreement, added the statement.
The two sides expressed commitment to sign an extension of their MoU that strengthens Cultural Property Protection and to launch discussions for an action plan, the statement read.
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