FM Shoukry wraps visit to Washington, heads for New York

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry headed for New York, wrapping his visit to Washington, where he held a series of meetings with US Congressmen and Senators.

In a press release on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zaid said Shoukry will meet new UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres during his visit to New York.

In Washington, Shoukry had meetings with US Senators Patrick Leahy and Chris Coons and Representatives Adam Smith, Darrell Issa and Brad Sherman to discuss the latest economic, social and political developments in Egypt and its economic reform program, the spokesman added.

Shoukry asserted that the Egyptian government works on introducing a comprehensive change in the economic, social and political life in Egypt, the spokesman added.

Shoukry underlined that the Egyptian citizens backed reform measures taken by Egypt, particularly those related to reducing fuel subsidies and floating the Egyptian pound, although these measures incurred heavy economic burdens on them, the spokesman said. 
Shoukry said that his meetings with the US Congressmen aimed at underlining the strategic ties between Egypt and the United States, as well as Egypt's keenness on having contacts with all decision-makers in Washington and the new transitional administration on the importance of US support for Egypt at this important stage.

Talks with US lawmakers also meant to assure the United Sates that it could rely on Egypt, as a main partner, to shore up peace and stability in the Middle East region, where there is a simmering unrest. 

During their meetings, the US Congressmen questioned Shoukry about the internal conditions in Egypt, efforts to fight terrorism, the latest developments in Libya, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, in addition to Egypt's vision on the Palestinian cause and means of encouraging the Palestinian and Israeli parties to resume the peace process, the spokesman said. 

Shoukry's talks with the US lawmakers also took up the US military and economic aid to Egypt, stressing the importance of continuing US aid to Egypt to cope with the growing challenges facing the Egyptian army, topped by counter-terrorism and entrenching peace and stability in the Middle East, the spokesman added.
He concluded his statements by underscoring the importance of Shoukry's meeting with the UN secretary general in New York to discuss issues tabled on the agenda of the UN Security Council and its stances towards Egypt, as well as Egypt's vision for promoting the international organization's role to achieve economic growth and implement an overall development program at the international level.

Source: MENA