Moscow, 17 November 2021 (TDI): The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, recently spoke with Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, on 16 November. Russia President Putin and El-Sisi had a telephone call to discuss matters related to Russian-Egyptian cooperation.
PRESIDENT’S PHONE CALL
The two first exchanged friendly greetings, then they remarked on the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and Egypt, offering their approvals and praises. Both discussed several aspects, like trade and economy, and how both countries have collaborated in these areas.
In 2014, El-Sisi visited Russia twice, once as Foreign Minister and the second time as the President. During these trips, he met with Putin to discuss bilateral relations between their countries. Both announced investment plans as a result of these meetings. Putin announced a free trade zone with the Russian-led Eurasian Customs Union, including Belarus and Kazakhstan. Both Belarus and Kazakhstan were among Egypt’s considerations and petitions.
In their recent telephone interaction, both leaders discussed the plans for a Russian industrial zone in the newly-inaugurated Suez Canal project. Both mandataries talked about creating Egypt’s very first nuclear power plant based on a Russian model. The nuclear power plant is due to the implementation of their common goal.
Russia has a history of providing arms to Egypt through exports, so this project only makes sense. El-Sisi also commented on his appreciation of the successful collaboration between Russia and Egypt of developing aviation security at Egyptian airports, thus enabling the restoration of all regular flights between both countries as of August 2021.
Lastly, both Presidents highlighted the significance of further diplomatic ties between Russia and Egypt. Particularly in the context of the International arena, both hoped to work together in settling various crises occurring in the Middle East and Africa. They also acknowledged maintaining personal contact with each other.
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Egypt established relations with the Soviet Union in 1943. The relations between both are based on mutual trust and respect. Currently, Moscow has an embassy in Cairo and a consulate in Alexandria. On the other side, Egypt has an Embassy in Moscow.
According to the Russian Embassy in Egypt, the cooperation between both started with the first economic agreement, signed in 1948. Under the agreement, the Soviet Union exported grain, timber, and goods, whereas Egypt exported cotton.
In 1990, both signed the Soviet-Egyptian Declaration and also the Long-Range Program. The Program included economic, trade, scientific, and also technical cooperation. The Embassy mentioned that Russian exports to Egypt experienced a growth of 93% compared to 2013.
In 2014, the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism reported an increase of 35% compared to the data in 2013. The Chief-Executive of the Association of Tour Operators in Russia, Maya Lomidze, released a statement in October.
Lomidze mentioned that Egypt turned to be the favorite destiny for Russian travelers. Other ways that Russia is involved with Egypt are within the car industry, provision of wheat, and the delivery of liquified gas, besides the nuclear plant.
