President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is set to hold talks in Russia with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, whilst on his way to visit China in September. Presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef told privately-owned satellite TV channel, Al-Hayat, on Friday that preparations are ongoing for a "summit" between the two leaders in Russia. Youssef did not, however, specify a date for the meeting. On Saturday, Al-Sisi met with a special envoy sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Youssef also stated on Friday that Al-Sisi will pay a visit to China in the first week of September, in response to an invitation from Jinping. It is expected that the meeting between Putin and Al-Sisi will be held around the time of the latter's visit to China, as part of Al-Sisi's tour abroad. The Chinese president extended the invitation to Al-Sisi in May, during a bilateral meeting following Russia's Victory Day celebrations. Al-Sisi's first visit outside the Middle East following his inauguration was to China, where he gave a speech before the Egyptian-Chinese Business Council. During his speech, Al-Sisi invited Chinese investors and companies to actively participate in the Economic Summit that took place in Sharm El-Sheikh last March. During Al-Sisi's last visit to Russia, he discussed with Putin the establishment of a free trade zone between Egypt and the Eurasian Customs Union (EACU), as well as the development of mutual trade and agricultural business. Source: Daily News Egypt
