Egypt FM meets with American Jewish organisations in Washington

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday with representatives from American Jewish organisations in the Egyptian Embassy's headquarters in Washington DC, where they discussed a number of issues including the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, the ministry reported in a statement on Wednesday.

Shoukry, who is meeting a number of US policymakers on his visit to Washington, "was keen to answer questions about Egypt's vision on ways to push forward the Palestinian-Israeli peace process," the statement read.

The foreign minister affirmed Egypt's dedication to a resumption of negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to reach "a just and definitive settlement to the Palestinian question."  

The minister also spoke on Egypt's assessment of the latest situations in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Libya as well as "their repercussions on security and stability in the Middle East."

He also discussed "means to revive and strengthen US relations with Egypt across economic, political and military fields," the statement read.

Also on Tuesday, Shoukry met with leading congresswoman and chair of the powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Kay Granger.

Shoukry told Granger that the continuation of US aid would be crucial for Egypt in its fight against terrorism and in its effort to maintain stability and peace in the region.

Egypt has received $1.3 billion in US military aid annually since signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, with the 2016 package including $150 million in economic assistance.

The US suspended that aid following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi for almost two years over concerns about the country's progress towards democracy. It lifted the freeze in mid-2015, but imposed new conditions on the aid agreement

Source: Ahram online