Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi stressed the well-established relationship between Cairo and Washington, expressing hopes to reinforce military and security joint partnership between the two sides.
Sisi received Monday Chief of the US Central Command Kenneth McKenzie Jr. in Cairo, in the presence of Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki, Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid, and US Ambassador to Egypt Jonathan Cohen.
The US commander's visit is the first for a high-ranking US military official since Biden’s inauguration last month.
“The Egyptian-American ties are well established, and Egypt looks forward to further bilateral cooperation in all sectors, particularly the military one,” Sisi told his host.
The matters discussed in the meeting included reinforcing military and security relations and combating terrorism, according to Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady.
He said Sisi and McKenzie also discussed joint military training programs and exchange of experience.
The Egyptian President said cooperation in the military sector should be fruitful on the front of overcoming mutual challenges in the region.
For his part, the US commander affirmed eagerness to maintain the same frequency of coordination and consultation with Egypt over regional affairs.
He appreciated Egypt's pivotal role in supporting peace and stability in the region.
Both sides also agreed to continue regular coordination and consultation over matters of mutual interest.
On February 17, the US State Department approved the sale of new military equipment to Egypt estimated at a cost of $197 million.
A few days ago, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry described Egypt-US relations as "close and strategic.”
He said the United States has massive political and economic capabilities. "It is very essential to explore common interests through close relations,” the FM said.
