Shoukry, McCain review Egyptian-US ties

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry had talks on Saturday with Senator John McCain, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, as part of his talks with Congressmen in Washington.

The talks tackled mean of enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially the US military and economic assistance to Egypt, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Shoukry posted McCain on the strenuous efforts being exerted by the Egyptian army to combat terror in Sinai and the grave challenges facing it as well as Egypt's ongoing efforts to realize stability and peace in the Middle East, Ahmed Abu Zeid said.

Shoukry apprised McCain of Egypt's vision on the conditions in Libya as well as the developments in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, Abu Zeid said.

During the talks, Shoukry underlined the importance of promoting the state role in combating terror and confronting outlawed armed militias as well as sectarian sedition that pose grave danger to social structure and peace in several Middle East states, the spokesman added.

Shoukry also had talks with Congressman Ed Royce, the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee, on bilateral ties.

Shoukry responded to all Royce's questions about the economic conditions in Egypt and the recent non-government institutions law as well as the economic and social reform program and the recent loan deal between the Egyptian government and the International Monetary Fund.

Shoukry was also keen on meeting with democratic minority leaders at Senate and House of Representatives committees, especially Congressman Eliot Engel who lauded his recent visit to Egypt and talks with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on counter-terror efforts.

Source: MENA