CAIRO, Aug 2 (KUNA) -- The US-Egyptian strategic dialogue constitutes basis for a new chapter in ties between Cairo and Washington and helps in serving common interests and facing regional challenges and terrorism, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Sunday.
The minister, addressing opening session of the dialogue with his US counterpart, John Kerry, said Egypt and the US have been bonded with a strategic relationship that deals with a large number of regional and international issues.
Holding the dialogue constitutes an opportunity for the two sides to review various aspects of the relationship, namely at the political, economic and military levels, he said, adding that it would also help the two sides make common stances vis a vis some of the regional issues.
There must be a new concept of thinking, aimed at bridging the gaps and boosting common stances, he said, affirming Cairo's approach toward "social justice, democracy and liberties."
Shoukry expressed hope the dialogue would cement the bilateral relations and mutual cooperation in various sectors, namely the military field "in a manner that contributes to realizing security for the two countries and strengthening regional and international stability." He urged the United States to invest in the nation and capitalize on lucrative business laws, contribute to Suez canal ventures and programs for supporting small and medium enterprise as well as hiking the national energy output.
"We believe that the best method for cementing the economic relatins is new way of thinking based on real partnership," he said.
The minister indicated that Egypt and the US, both wielding major power in the region, should coordinate closely for the two sides' benefit, hoping that the dialogue would result in harmonizing the views on regional crises, namely Syria, Libya, Yemen and Palestine, in addition to other issues such as combating terrorism particularly the terror group, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, disarmament, nuclear proliferation and the West-Iran nuclear deal.
For his part, Kerry pledged that Washington would continue to provide Egypt with military support, noting delivery, several days ago, of a number of F-16 jet fighters to Cairo.
Kerry raised the issue of youth deviating toward violence and terrorism, affirmed US desire to broaden investments in the nation noting that the US businesses in the country last year amounted to USD two billion.
He praised the friendly ties between Cairo and Washington saying that they have been based on "full awarness of the common interests and necessity of combating terrorism." (end) aff.rk