Egypt, Russia ink military cooperation pact

CAIRO, Egypt

Egypt and Russia have signed a new military cooperation agreement, the Egyptian army said on Tuesday.

The deal was signed by Egypt’s Defense Minister Mohamed Ahmed Zaki and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, according to Egyptian military spokesperson Gharib Abdel-Hafez.

Zaki was on a three-day visit to Moscow for the 7th meeting of the Egypt-Russia Joint Military Committee, the official said in a statement.

The defense ministers evaluated issues of mutual importance and discussed areas of exchanges between the two armed forces, read the statement.

Zaki conveyed Cairo’s desire to enhance cooperation and strengthen its partnership with Moscow in various fields, it added.

Shoigu said Russia remains keen to increase its existing cooperation with Cairo and views Egypt as an important strategic partner in the Middle East, the statement said.