Washington D.C/Cairo, 30 May 2022 (TDI): The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, held a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry.
The two officials talked about the situation in Yemen. Moreover, they discussed the importance of launching flights between Egypt and Yemen.
The US Secretary welcomed the decision of Egyptian authorities to allow flights between Cairo and Sana’a. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Egypt for approving these flights. The Egyptian authorities approved the flights between Cairo and Sanaa under the implementation of the UN armistice in Yemen.
He further expressed hope that the first flight in the upcoming days will help Yemenis seeking medical aid and seeking to meet their relatives from the Yemeni diaspora in Egypt.
Egypt is home to thousands of Yemeni refugees and migrants seeking protection from the ongoing war and a better life.
The officials also discussed US-Egypt bilateral ties, regional issues, and food security. They agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperate on regional issues, such as in Yemen.
Furthermore, they agreed to counter threats to global food security that emerged from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
United States-Egypt Relations
The United States established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Egypt in 1922 after it got independence from the British. This year, the two countries celebrate 100 years of official diplomatic ties.
The two countries are political partners in regional issues. Due to mutual interests in Middle East’s regional security, both countries cooperate extensively. Furthermore, they have developed a strategic partnership.
Under their strategic partnership, the United States has provided economic and military assistance to Egypt. Two-way trade between the US and Egypt amounted to $9.1 billion in 2021. Moreover, Egypt is the largest export market of the US in Africa.
Additionally, the two countries enjoy good working relations in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, trade, climate change, tourism, and people-to-people contacts.
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