Moscow and Cairo reaffirm ‘strategic’ partnership

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty reviewed trade growth, security coordination and regional crises

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the countries during a meeting in Moscow on Friday. 

The meeting followed talks held a day earlier between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abdelatty, during which the Russian leader invited Egypt to take part in the third Russia–Africa Summit scheduled for this autumn.  

Abdelatty confirmed Lavrov’s words about the “strategic nature of bilateral relations, …including economic relations, relations in the sphere of security, military, political, energy and others.” 

The sides discussed trade and economic cooperation, including plans to establish a logistics hub in Egypt for Russian petroleum products and grain, which is expected to support the needs of Arab states and the African continent.

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“We [Egypt] hope this project will become a platform for production and export,” Abdelatty said. Cairo views Moscow as “a primary ally and Egypt’s leading partner” in grain imports, the country’s minister said. 

Lavrov also noted the increase in trade turnover between the countries, stating that by the end of last year, “bilateral trade exceeded $10 billion, which is an increase of nearly 12%.” 

Addressing ongoing regional crises, the parties signaled that their positions largely coincide, particularly on the situation in the Middle East, where both sides advocate de-escalation and political solutions. 

“Russia and Egypt have aligned strategic approaches to the crisis in the Middle East,” Lavrov said. 

The ministers addressed other conflicts, noting that fighting in Sudan has been ongoing for three years, while Libya has faced prolonged instability since 2011, and stressing the need for coordinated international efforts and political settlements. 

READ MORE: Kremlin confirms plans for Russia-Africa summit

The talks also covered preparations for upcoming international formats, including plans to hold the Russia–Arab Cooperation Forum and the Russia–Africa Summit.