Russian FM bolsters relations in Africa tour

CAIRO－Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks on Sunday with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Cairo, where they discussed bilateral relations and regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Lavrov handed Sisi a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing the importance Russia attaches to consolidating bilateral ties with Egypt within the framework of a "strategic partnership and cooperation agreement between the two countries", said the Egyptian presidency in a statement.

Sisi commended the growing cooperation between Cairo and Moscow, which is exemplified by Russian projects in Egypt, such as the El Dabaa nuclear power plant that is currently being built, and the establishment of a Russian industrial zone on the Suez Canal axis and other joint projects in various fields.

With regard to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Egypt renewed its call for a political settlement of the crisis. Sisi stressed the importance of "giving priority to the language of dialogue and diplomatic solutions to the crisis", affirming Egypt's support for all endeavors that would settle the issue "politically" in order to maintain international security and stability.

Following his talks with Sisi, Lavrov held a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's headquarters in Cairo.

'Constructive dialogue'

Lavrov said he had "a constructive dialogue" with Sisi and later with Shoukry, expressing Russia's appreciation for the fast-growing relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a joint news conference after meeting with Shoukry, Lavrov lauded the expanding economic cooperation and growing trade volume between Russia and Egypt.

As for a global food shortage resulting from the conflict, Lavrov blamed Western sanctions for obstructing Russian grain exports, noting that Russia and Ukraine recently signed an agreement to help relieve the food crisis through safe corridors in the Black Sea for grain exports.

Lavrov noted that his tour in Africa also seeks to discuss preparations for the second Russia-Africa summit that is scheduled for mid-2023.

Shoukry reiterated the need to reach "a political and diplomatic settlement" of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

He added that he discussed with Lavrov the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and they both agreed on the necessity for a two-state solution as a settlement to the issue.

Ahmed Kandil, head of the International Studies Unit at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, told Xinhua News Agency that the timing of Lavrov's tour in Africa is very important as it comes after two important meetings－one in Jeddah attended by leaders of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council member states plus Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, and the other in Teheran gathering Russian, Iranian and Turkish leaders.

Lavrov also met Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and representatives of the 22 nations that make up the pan-Arab bloc.

It is Lavrov's first African tour since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He was scheduled to visit countries including Ethiopia and Uganda.

Xinhua - Agencies