Egypt, US to boost cooperation against terrorist groups

CAIRO, Aug 2 (KUNA) -- Egypt and the US have agreed to enhance cooperation to counter terrorist groups that pose threat to the international peace and security.
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry made the statement during a press conference with Secretary of State John Kerry after the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue held in Cairo on Sunday.
He said that the dialogue had reviewed bilateral ties in all fields, as well as fresh ideas for future cooperation. It also discussed the new Suez Canal to be opened later this week, and cooperation in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs).
Both countries have stressed interest in human rights and democracy, Shoukry said.
On the regional level, Egypt and the US underscored the prior necessity of resuming Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for the sake of realizing just and permanent peace in the region, he said.
They also addressed developments in Libya and Syria, urging diplomatic solutions to crisis in both.
For his part, the US chief diplomat told the conference that the dialogue agenda covered political, security and economic issues, besides other topics that were so frankly discussed.
Today's strategic dialogue discussed the importance of realizing balance human rights and the use of violence to express views.
Kerry noted that he and his Egyptian counterpart reviewed the Vienna nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers.
He said that both countries realize that Iran constitutes part of "destabilization" in the Middle East, warning that if the deal is not fully complemented, all options remain open for Washington.
Kerry is due in Doha later today to discuss with senior Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) senior officials security in the region after the Iran nuclear agreement. (end) asm.msa