Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry headed Sunday to Moscow, upon an invitation by his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, as part of their mutual visits. The two sides will hold political consultations to address ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in light of the solid relations between the two friendly countries, as well as discussing regional and international issues of common interest. Ahmed Hafez, the spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Shoukry is scheduled to meet with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, within the framework of continuing consultations with the Russian side on the most prominent files of joint cooperation and coordination between the two countries during the coming period. Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexei Zaitsev, said: "During the meeting, the Russian and Egyptian ministers will discuss current issues related to the further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the political, commercial, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other fields." He added: "The two ministers will also discuss the situation in the Middle East and North Africa," stressing that Egypt is Russia's main partner in the Arab world and the African continent, where multifaceted relations between Moscow and Cairo are successfully developing. "The relations between Moscow and Cairo have always been based on the traditions of friendship, respect and taking into account mutual interests," the Russian diplomat added.
