Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov several regional issues in Moscow on Monday, including confronting terrorism and coordinating in international forums, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two parties also discussed the resumption of Russian flights to Egypt. The meeting comes as part of Shoukry's European tour, which includes Russia, Estonia, and Lithuania, to boost bilateral relations and discuss the latest regional and international issues, in addition to promoting the candidacy of Moushira Khattab to head UNESCO. During his visit to Russia, Shoukry handed over a letter from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zaid said. Shoukry praised the level of partnership between Egypt and Russia in the context of the strategic consultations agreement 2×2, which includes the ministries of foreign affairs and defence in the two countries. Russia has signed this agreement with only six countries, including Egypt. Lavrov pointed out that the situation in the Middle East requires the continuous coordination and consultation between Egypt and Russia, expressing his country's keenness on listening to the Egyptian point of view towards the updates in the region, according to Abu Zaid. Abu Zaid added that the meeting asserted the importance of Egypt's role in Libya, in addition to coordinating on the Syrian issue. Regarding the Palestinian issue, Shoukry reviewed the Egyptian evaluation for the security and political situation in the Palestinian occupied territories, and the results of the meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine, according to the statement. Shoukry also discussed with his Russian counterpart the candidacy of Moushira Khattab to head UNESCO, seeking Russian support.
