Putin, Sisi agree on enhancing bilateral cooperation

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Russian President Vladmir Putin Tuesday ageed to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries after the two leaders met in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi, state-run MENA news agency reported.

Sisi said he was confident that boosting Egypt-Russia relations was something both the leaders were looking forward to. He added that his talks with Putin focused on bilateral ties, as well as regional and international issues.

"This visit is important because it comes after Egypt has taken important steps toward implementing the road map agreed by the Egyptian people after the June 30 revolution," Sisi said after emerging from the meeting with Putin.

Boosting economic cooperation topped the agenda of the meeting.

Putin announced that Russia was discussing the creation of a free trade zone in Egypt. "Russia will supply at least 5.5 million tonnes of wheat to Egypt this year," he said.

"Egypt has already increased (agricultural) supplies to our market by 30 percent (and) is ready to increase (supplies) by yet another 30 percent in the near future," the Russian president added.

On boosting cooperation in the energy domains, Putin stressed that Egypt and Russia were key players in the field of oil and that a Russian energy company had started to work in the Egyptian market.

He said there were other companies interested in the Egyptian market, especially in the peaceful uses of nuclear power.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Gaza and the settlement of the crises in Syria, Iraq and Libya. "Russia shares Egypt's view against international interference in Libya," Sisi told reporters.

He hoped that tourism cooperation with Moscow would be restored as stability was gradually achieved in the country.

This was the second time Sisi has met Putin.

The first meeting was in January as part of the two plus two talks, Sisi said at the press conference, adding since then the two leaders had been in contact.