Egypt's Foreign Min. discusses bilateral relations with Pompeo, senators

CAIRO – 27 March 2019: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry paid a visit to Washington on Tuesday to discuss with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo and American senators the bilateral relations between the two sides as well as the regional issues.

Minister Shoukry also held a number of meetings with leaders of the US administration, members of Congress and various American circles.

Minister Shoukry began his visit by conducting meetings in Congress, with US Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Hafez said in a statement.

Foreign Minister #Sameh_Shoukry begins his current visit to Washington by conducting meetings in Congress ... Now meeting Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Co-Chair of the Egypt Caucus and House member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations @JeffFortenberry pic.twitter.com/yP87BvNxox

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

Foreign Minister meets with Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations@SenJeffMerkley

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

During the meetings, Shoukry asserted the importance of continuing the US support for Egypt to curb terrorism and bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

The foreign minister also stressed the necessity of continuing the US support for Egypt in line with the increased challenges faced by the country.

The meetings also tackled the recent developments in Egypt, as well as security and economic challenges.

The pair also stressed the value of Egypt-US strategic relations and discussed ways of activating Egypt Caucus to reflect Egypt's achievements in the fields of development, economy, energy, alongside women and youth empowerment.

Moreover, The US military and economic assistance program for Egypt was also mulled, the spokesman said.

Shoukry also reviewed the Egyptian model in enhancing the freedom of religion, as well as the culture of coexistence, tolerance and acceptance of the other to consolidate the principles of citizenship and equality.

The two sides also discussed recent regional developments, especially the Syrian, Libyan and Palestinian issues.

Shoukry's talks with Congressmen were highly positive and viewed a mutual desire to achieve greater understanding and rapprochement between Egypt and the United States, the spokesman concluded.

After that, Shoukry met with chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa & Int’l Terrorism Ted Deutch.

Foreign Minister #Sameh_Shoukry meets with Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism@RepTedDeutch pic.twitter.com/SScFSNdOUA

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

The Foreign Minister continued intensive meeting with US congressmen, and meets with a Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Republican Rep. Steve Chabot, and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam Schiff.

Minister #Sameh_Shoukry meets Republican Rep. Steve Chabot, Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs@RepSteveChabot pic.twitter.com/eH0Lyu9KAh

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

Foreign Minister continues intensive meetings with US congressmen, and meets with Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee@RepAdamSchiff

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

Then, Minister Shoukry met with Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees and the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs.

The meetings continue ...
Shoukry meets Republican Senator Marco Rubio, member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees and the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs @marcorubio pic.twitter.com/yJUa2UZDlo

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

Continuing his intensive program in Washington, Shoukry met Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Continuing his intensive program in Washington... Shoukry meets Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee @NitaLowey pic.twitter.com/bB65L486Bx

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

Concluding the first day of his current visit, Minister Shourky conducted talks with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Concluding the first day of his current visit, Foreign Minister #Sameh_Shoukry conducts talks with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo@SecPompeo @StateDept pic.twitter.com/a6J2SgAavT

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) March 26, 2019

Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry agreed with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to seek greater cooperation between their countries to ensure stability in the region during talks in Washington.

The two officials discussed means to boost mutual cooperation and strategic partnership, in addition to bolstering efforts to "confront regional and international threats and to achieve stability in the Middle East."

The two sides discussed "how to advance Egypt’s and the region’s security and stability," the US Department of State stated on its official website.

During the talks, the Egyptian minister highlighted the importance of pushing for a just settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He reiterated Egypt's stance that regards the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian land, following US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Israel be recognised as sovereign in this territory it captured in the 1967 War.

Pompeo "recognised the foreign minister’s dedication to strengthening the US-Egypt bilateral relationship" and congratulated Egypt on Tuesday's 40th anniversary of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, according to the State Department.

In January 2019, Pompeo met with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi at the presidential palace in Cairo and held talks with Foreign Minister Shoukry.
This meeting came amid his eight-country tour in which he focused on issues related to Syria, Iran and Yemen.