Russia’s Putin talks fight against terrorism with Egyptian leader el-Sisi

MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. Fight against terrorism and issues concerning the Palestinian-Israeli settlement will be in the focus of the Russian-Egyptian high-level talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin said opening a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi on Wednesday in Moscow. "I dearly hope that in the course of your visit we will manage to talk not only on the economic issues, speaking of which I would mention that our bilateral trade increased by 86 percent over the last year, but we will also talk on the situation in the region in general, discuss the Palestinian-Israeli settlement and the fight against terrorism," The Russian president said. "Egypt undoubtedly plays the key role in all of these issues," Putin said welcoming the Egyptian leader. El-Sisi said it was already the fourth meeting between the presidents of the two countries and it means that "there is a particular nature of relations between both countries." "With each our meeting the people of Egypt look with hope on the perspectives of our relations development in various spheres and not only in the sphere of economy, but the sphere of the fight against terrorism, particularly in the region, which is rocked by enormous problems of terrorism and extremism," the Egyptian president said. He added that the authorities of Egypt are fighting this evil not only by military methods but also by means of the country’s social and economic development. According to a statement from the Kremlin’s press service on Tuesday, Egypt is one of Russia’s major Middle East partners. Trade and economic ties form an important aspect of Russian-Egyptian bilateral ties. The year of 2014 saw an 86% increase in bilateral trade since 2013 reaching $5.5 billion. The bilateral trade dwindled by 16% in monetary terms in the first half of 2015 due to falling prices in global product markets and foreign exchange rate fluctuations. However, the trade structure remained unchanged. At the same time, Egypt’s agricultural exports to Russia are showing stable growth. The quantum of trade over the designated period exceeded 500,000 metric tons. El-Sisi also thanked President Putin for Russia’s senior-level representation at the opening of a new shipping lane for the Suez Canal earlier in the month. The festive ceremony on August 6 was attended by high-placed delegations from more than 90 countries, including the Russian delegation, led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. "Let me express my gratitude for the high-level presence of the Suez Canal, where the head of the Russian government was present," el-Sisi said. "I would like to say that it was a symbolic gesture that Russian naval ships passed along the peaceful Suez Canal. I thank you, Mister President." Egypt to build Suez Canal's 3rd shipping lane Egypt intends to build the third shipping lane of the Suez Canal that links the Mediterranean and Red Seas, Suez Canal Authority Chairman, Admiral Mohab Mamish said in late July. He said this would be "a separate shipway to extend east of the town of Port Said." The new shipway will be 9.5 km (5.9 miles) long and will allow vessels to sail in both directions simultaneously. The new shipping lane’s depth near Port Said will allow the passage of vessels with the maximum draft, the admiral said. The second Suez Canal will double the Canal’s capacity from 49 to 97 vessels a day as ships will be able to pass in both directions simultaneously, using the old and new waterways. Cairo expects revenues from the operation of the Suez Canal system at least to triple by 2023 to over $15 billion. The Suez Canal that opened in 1869 keeps the positions of the world’s most important water artery. This is the shortest sea way from Europe to Asia and the cheapest method of cargo transportation. Read more