Egyptian Defense Minister Heads to Russia for Military Talks

The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)
The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)
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Egyptian Defense Minister Heads to Russia for Military Talks

The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)
The Egyptian Defense Minister and his Russian counterpart in Cairo in 2019 during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee. (Egyptian Military Spokesperson)

Egypt’s Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki headed Sunday to Moscow, chairing a top delegation for a trip that will last several days and strengthen bilateral military relations.

The minister is scheduled to attend the seventh meeting of the Egyptian-Russian Joint Military Committee with several leaders and officials at the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The meeting will discuss many issues of common interest and support military cooperation relations between the armed forces of both nations.

Russia and Egypt signed a Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation agreement in 2018.

It strengthens cooperation between Russia and Egypt in political, commercial, economic, and cultural fields and defines mechanisms to enhance collaboration between Moscow and Cairo.

In November 2019, the Egyptian Defense Minister received his Russian counterpart, General Sergey Shoygu, along with a Russian military delegation, during the sixth meeting of the Joint Military Committee.

The previous meeting touched on ways to enhance cooperation in light of the good relations that bind the two countries and exchange visions towards developments at the regional and international levels and their impact on security and stability in the Middle East.

The two ministers chaired the meetings of the Joint Committee. The meetings also addressed exchanging experiences and joint training between the armed forces of both countries.

During the previous meeting, the Egyptian Minister of Defense stressed his country’s pride in its well-established relations with Russia.

He noted that the armed forces are keen to increase cooperation and partnership in various military and security fields.

The Russian minister addressed Moscow’s desire to enhance aspects of cooperation, with Egypt being a pivotal country.

He lauded Cairo’s prominent role in combating terrorism and supporting security and stability efforts in the region.



Türkiye's Erdogan Discusses Syria Situation with Putin by Phone, Ankara Says

 Syrian opposition fighters ride on motorcycles through abandoned Syrian army vehicles on a road in the outskirts of Hama, Syria, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024.(AP)
Syrian opposition fighters ride on motorcycles through abandoned Syrian army vehicles on a road in the outskirts of Hama, Syria, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024.(AP)
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Türkiye's Erdogan Discusses Syria Situation with Putin by Phone, Ankara Says

 Syrian opposition fighters ride on motorcycles through abandoned Syrian army vehicles on a road in the outskirts of Hama, Syria, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024.(AP)
Syrian opposition fighters ride on motorcycles through abandoned Syrian army vehicles on a road in the outskirts of Hama, Syria, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024.(AP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the renewed outbreak of conflict in Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone, Erdogan's office said in a post on X on Tuesday.

Erdogan and Putin spoke as Syrian opposition forces advancing against government troops pushed close on Tuesday to the major city of Hama, fighters and a war monitor said, after their sudden capture of Aleppo last week rocked President Bashar al-Assad.

Erdogan told Putin that Türkiye supports Syria's territorial integrity and strives for a just and lasting solution in Syria, the statement said.

"President Erdogan highlighted the importance of making more room for diplomacy in the region, and underscored that the Syrian regime should engage in the political solution process," it said. Erdogan also said that Syria should not become a source of greater instability.

"Erdogan stated that Türkiye will continue to maintain its determined stance on the fight against the terrorist organization PKK and its extensions who are trying to take advantage of the recent developments in Syria," the statement said.