Washington - Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held his first ever meeting with US State Secretary Rex Tillerson in Washington on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said. The meeting focused on the deeply-rooted strategic relations binding Egypt and the US over decades, the spokesman said. Ways to enhance relations in the coming stage, especially with a new US administration in the White House, were also high on the agenda of the meeting, he added. Both top diplomats exchanged views on a number of regional issues of mutual concern, especially stability and peace in the Middle East, he said. Tillerson was keen on listening from Shoukry about the economic, political and security developments in Egypt, including an inclusive step-by-step reform program on democratic transformation, the spokesman said. Other challenges in the Middle East, topped by the Egyptian stance towards the Syrian and Libyan crises were part of the talks between Shoukry and Tillerson, according to the spokesman. The discussions also involved Egyptian efforts in support of the Palestinian cause, aiming to bring the Palestinian and Israeli sides back to the negotiations table, he said. The US views Egypt a real partner in the Middle East, Tillerson said, reaffirming that Washington is keen on backing Cairo until it overcomes all current political, economic and security challenges, the spokesman concluded.
