Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo several aspects of the strategic relations between Egypt and the United States and regional issues of mutual interest. During a phone call on Monday, Shoukry and Pompeo tackled ways of developing cooperation ties in all fields, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said. The two officials discussed regional issues topped by the developments in Syria. In this regard, the Egyptian foreign minister stressed his country's refusal of any violation against the Syrian territories and any change of the demographic composition of northeastern Syria. He called for the immediate beginning of a political process based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254. He also affirmed the necessity of continuing work on confronting all forms of terrorism under the US-led coalition, expressing Egypt's welcome to the US killing of Daesh leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi. Pompeo, for his part, valued the Egyptian efforts to achieve stability and security in the region. During the conversation, they touched on the developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the invitation extended by the US administration to Shoukry and his Ethiopian and Sudanese counterparts to meet in Washington to address the worries of all sides. The US top diplomat voiced the US administration's understanding of the importance of resolving the issue and the need to reach a just agreement that achieves the three countries' interests. They also agreed on maintaining close consultations and coordination on developments in the region.
