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19:02 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 21 (KUNA) -- The US is keen to working very closely to address Egypt's economic and counterterrorism challenges, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday.
Egypt has been undergoing "extraordinary challenges" after the Tahrir Square revolution, Kerry told reporters at the State Department in Washington.
"Egypt is facing major challenges - economic challenges, challenges of counterterrorism, challenges in the Sinai, challenges of the region," he told reporters.
Kerry was speaking before talks with Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry on the fringes of anti-Islamic State group ministerial talks.
He said cooperation with Egypt was "important" on counterterrorism efforts, the Middle East peace process and on regional challenges.
The two would be discussing the needed reforms in order to help improve the economy and attract investments, he added.
For his part, Minister Shukry said him and Kerry would discuss a "very wide range of bilateral issues."
He also noted to a "strategic relationship" and a "parallelity of interests" that has existed between both nations for over four decades. (end)
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