Staff report: CAIRO, Aug 8, 2018 - Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri held talks on Wednesday with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo on bilateral relations and regional issues, during his current visit to the US. The talks reflected the two countries' desire to give a push to bilateral relations, through increasing the exchange of visits by the two countries' officials as well as the holding of a new strategic dialogue and the 2+2 meetings between the ministers of foreign affairs and defence of the two countries, according to the Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Abu Zeid. Foreign Minister Shoukri briefed Pompeo on the latest political and economic developments in Egypt and the efforts exerted by the Egyptian government to improve the economic and social situation in the country. The meeting also reviewed Egypt's efforts in the fight against terrorism. Pompeo described Egypt as a "strategic partner" to the US in the Middle East region and stressed that the current US Administration was keen on boosting relations with Egypt. "The US is committed to supporting Egypt in the political and economic and developmental domains through current co-operation mechanisms between the two countries," the top US diplomat noted. The two senior diplomats also discussed the situation in Syria, Libya and Palestine, and agreed to continue talks to settle Middle East issues. He also praised efforts exerted by Egypt to achieve Palestinian reconciliation and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip. Earlier in the day, Mr Shoukri said that Egypt was looking forward to supporting the United States in achieving more security, stability, development and success especially in the field of countering terrorism in a way that promotes the stability of the region. The foreign minister was speaking during a meeting with a group of intellectuals, writers and prominent figures belonging to the most renowned US think-tanks in Cairo yesterday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said. The meeting is part of the efforts made by Egypt to maintain communication with researchers, thinkers and prominent figures who influence the decision-making process in the US. The communication is aimed at explaining the developments that Egypt is facing at the political, economic, social and security levels as well as the challenges confronting it because of the state of instability and the growing crises in the Middle East. The meeting confirms the importance of Egyptian-US relations and the need to protect and preserve them for the sake of both countries, Spokesman Abu Zeid said. FM Shoukri also asserted the importance of continuously enhancing relations between Egypt and the US in various fields. The foreign minister discussed the development of the economic reform programme and the efforts made by the Egyptian government to attract more foreign investments, increase growth rates and create job opportunities for young people in a way that contributes to upgrading living conditions in the country.
