Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry asserted that his visit to the US aims at following up the Egyptian-American relations' track, noting that his meetings with congressmen and other officials reflected a full awareness of special relations binding Cairo and Washington.

In statements to Egyptian TV Channel One on Sunday on the fringe of his current visit to US, Shoukry said the visit comes ahead of the assumption of power by the new American administration on January 20. 

He made it clear that the visit aims at interacting with the new administration and pillars of the Republican party in the US Congress as well as Democratic leaders.

He termed the Egyptian-American relations as "strong and deeply-rooted" and of a strategic nature, asserting that Egypt has been always seeking to enhance its relations with the successive American administrations.

The Egyptian diplomat also noted that contacts between newly elected President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi mirrored an approach by the new American administration that comes in line with the Egyptian vision vis-a-vis various issues. 

This recent contact underlined the importance of continuing contacts between the Egyptian and the US sides before the new administration takes office, he added.

Shoukry also revealed that the issue of the US aid to Egypt was raised during his visit out of keenness to achieve development in Egypt and reinforce the capabilities of the Armed Forces in light of the new challenges emerging in the Middle East region.

He also pressed the necessity of enhancing Egypt's military potentials to stand up to such challenges especially terrorism and unstable conditions in neighboring countries.

Shoukry also pointed out that he discussed with Congress committees concerned with approving assistance to Egypt the need to increase the aid volume to cope up with the size of challenges facing Egypt and the American-Egyptian interests in the Middle East region.

Source: MENA