US President Joe Biden and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, his Egyptian counterpart, emphasised on Friday their “mutual commitment multifaceted US-Egypt strategic partnership”.
Both leaders reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to working together on a range of shared challenges and interests, including counterterrorism, promoting regional stability, and advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
President Biden also reiterated the United States’ support for Egypt’s efforts to achieve economic reform and development, and praised Egypt’s leadership role in the region.
President Joe Biden met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on the sidelines of a major UN climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating global efforts to combat the climate crisis. In a statement released after the meeting, the White House said that the two leaders had a “productive discussion” and that they had agreed to “work together to mobilize the international community to take more ambitious action on climate change.”
President Biden recently spoke out in support ofEgypt in the face of several global challenges. He specifically mentioned the economic and food security challenges caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as Egypt’s water rights. These comments show that the United States is standing with Egypt during these difficult times. Ethiopia is currently in the midst of a regional dispute with Egypt over an Ethiopian dam that could potentially curtail Egypt’s share of the River Nile’s waters. It is clear that President Biden is committed to supporting Egypt through this challenging time.
Biden further “raised the importance of human rights and respect for fundamental freedoms,” the White House said in a readout of the call. “The two leaders also consulted on regional security challenges, opportunities to de-escalate conflicts and the decades-long US-Egypt defence partnership,” it added.
The call came amid increased tensions between the US and Iran and reports that Cairo was in secret talks with Tehran to try to ease those tensions.
It also came as the US is seeking to revive the long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Egypt is a key player in that process and is seen as a moderating force between the two sides.
Biden’s visit to Egypt is his first since assuming office in January 2021. He is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss a range of issues, including counterterrorism, regional stability, and the advancement of democracy and human rights. The United States has long considered Egypt to be a critical partner in promoting peace and security in the Middle East, and the Biden administration is committed to strengthening that partnership.
After the COP27 summit, Biden will travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 12 – 13 November to participate in the annual US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit. In Phnom Penh, he will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and deliver remarks at the US-ASEAN summit plenary. He will also meet with other leaders attending the East Asia Summit to discuss regional and global issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic recovery.
During her meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed the Russian-Ukrainian war and the Ethiopia dam issue. However, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on these issues. According to a statement released by the Egyptian Presidency, President el-Sisi stressed the importance of resolving the Ethiopia dam issue through negotiation and diplomacy, rather than through the use of force. Speaker Pelosi expressed her support for this approach and the two leaders agreed to continue to work together on this issue.
Anadolu News Agency contributed to this report