Russia, Egypt work to "strengthen ties"

CAIRO The foreign ministers of Egypt and Russia Nabil Fahmi and Sergei Lavrov met in Cairo on Thursday to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. The AP reported that the encounter might suggest a historic turnabout of Egypt's foreign policy. Russia, Egypt work to "strengthen ties" Russia was "forced out" as the main ally of Egypt in the 1970s by the United States, and now it seems that "the pendulum is swinging back to the Russian side." "We look forward to cooperating with Russia in many areas due to its importance in the international arena. We hope for strong, sustained and stable relations with Russia. We want to encourage a relationship that already exists," said Fahmi at a press conference after his talks with Lavrov. Asked whether Russia will "replaced the U.S. by the importance" when it comes to Egypt's foreign policy, Fahmi said that his country was not looking for "replacement for anybody." "The importance of Russia is too great for it to be a replacement for anyone," he said. In his comments, Lavrov said that Russia wants a return to stability in Egypt, a country shaken with unrest ever since former President Hosni Mubarak, a staunch U.S. ally, was overthrown. Relations between Washington and Cairo have become strained since the military coup of July this year, when now former President Mohamed Morsi was also overthrown. The U.S. last month froze a large part of its annual military aid to Egypt that amounts to USD 1.3 billion. The move angered Egyptians and fueled speculation in local media that Egypt intends to sign a military agreement with Russia worth billions of dollars. So far, there has been no official indication in either Cairo or Moscow that such a deal may be signed. However, the Russian delegation that arrived in Cairo on Thursday included Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. According to Fahmi, Shoigu, Lavrov and Egyptian Minister of Defense General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will have a joint meeting later in the day. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov speaks to his counterpart Nabil Fahmy, foreground, during their meeting in Cairo (Beta/AP) Beta

Russia, Egypt work to "strengthen ties"

Russia was "forced out" as the main ally of Egypt in the 1970s by the United States, and now it seems that "the pendulum is swinging back to the Russian side."

"We look forward to cooperating with Russia in many areas due to its importance in the international arena. We hope for strong, sustained and stable relations with Russia. We want to encourage a relationship that already exists," said Fahmi at a press conference after his talks with Lavrov.

Asked whether Russia will "replaced the U.S. by the importance" when it comes to Egypt's foreign policy, Fahmi said that his country was not looking for "replacement for anybody."

"The importance of Russia is too great for it to be a replacement for anyone," he said.

In his comments, Lavrov said that Russia wants a return to stability in Egypt, a country shaken with unrest ever since former President Hosni Mubarak, a staunch U.S. ally, was overthrown.

Relations between Washington and Cairo have become strained since the military coup of July this year, when now former President Mohamed Morsi was also overthrown.

The U.S. last month froze a large part of its annual military aid to Egypt that amounts to USD 1.3 billion.

The move angered Egyptians and fueled speculation in local media that Egypt intends to sign a military agreement with Russia worth billions of dollars. So far, there has been no official indication in either Cairo or Moscow that such a deal may be signed.

However, the Russian delegation that arrived in Cairo on Thursday included Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. According to Fahmi, Shoigu, Lavrov and Egyptian Minister of Defense General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will have a joint meeting later in the day.