On Tuesday, 7 August, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton at the White House. The meeting was their first since Ambassador Bolton became National Security Advisor earlier this year.

In their meeting, Minister Shoukry “said he is looking forward to working with Bolton to boost Cairo-Washington relations in a way that reflects how special and strategic they are.” Minister Shoukry also briefed Ambassador Bolton on “Egypt’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly the successes achieved by the Sinai 2018 military operation.”

Additionally, both sides “affirmed their mutual eagerness to boost bilateral cooperation…as well as the need to continue their coordination and consultation.”

For more, see the release from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs below.

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Shoukry Starts visit to Washington, Meets the US National Security Advisor
Wednesday, 8 August 2018
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday 7/8/2018 with US National Security Adviser John Bolton at their first ever meeting since the US official assumed his post.

Shoukry, currently visiting the US, said he is looking forward to working with Bolton to boost Cairo-Washington relations in a way that reflects how special and strategic they are, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said in a statement.

He underscored the importance of continuing efforts that aims to achieve mutual interests of the two countries.

Shoukry also presented a comprehensive review about the developments of conditions in Egypt, asserting the importance of the US support to Cairo in light of the current challenges besetting the Arab region.

The Egyptian top diplomat also called for holding the upcoming round of strategic dialogue and the 2+2 dialogue meetings between the two countries’ ministers of foreign affairs and defense with the aim of discussing means to foster bilateral ties and exchanging views about regional and international issues of mutual concern.

As for the US aid program to Egypt, Shoukry said it reflects the importance of Cairo-Washington historic relations, achieves mutual interests, enhances Egypt’s capability of combating security challenges and maintains peace and security in the region.

Meanwhile, Bolton said the US administration wants to keep the strategic nature of relations with Cairo and believes that Egypt is playing a pivotal role in maintaining stability and balance in the Middle East.

The US official was briefed by Shoukry on Egypt’s anti-terrorism efforts, particularly with regard to the success achieved by the Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018.

He was also keen to know Egypt’s vision and assessment of the conditions and developments in the Middle East, especially in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Palestine.

In this regard, the two sides discussed ways to overcome the deadlock reached in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.