CAIRO, May 14, 2018 (MENA/TASS) - Talks between the ministers of foreign affairs and defense of Egypt and Russia started in Moscow Monday. The talks are attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Egyptian Minister of Defense Sedqi Sobhi and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu The ministers will discuss possibilities of boosting bilateral relations in the political, economic and cultural spheres, as well as tourism. Meanwhile, Russia's Acting Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu praised Egypt-Russia military co-operation saying that military co-operation between Moscow and Cairo has been expanding. "There has been a sustainable positive trend toward growing military cooperation," Shoigu said. "We are pleased to see Egypt's intention to provide modern Russian-made weapons and military equipment to the its armed forces," he said at a meeting with Egyptian Defense Minister Sedki Sobhy on Monday. At the same time, the acting Russian defense minister pointed out that Moscow would like Cairo to strengthen its leading position "in ensuring regional security and stability." "We see visible progress in bilateral relations," he said. According to Shoigu, Russia values the Egyptian authorities' wish to boost multifaceted relations between the two countries, "including in the military area, as well as Cairo's constructive stance on major security issues facing the Middle East and North Africa." Shoigu went on to say that holding two-plus-two meetings between the foreign and defense ministers was important for Russian-Egyptian co-operation as participants had "a unique opportunity to compare their positions on pressing bilateral issues." "We intend to continue boosting military cooperation in every field of mutual interest," Shoigu concluded.
