Putin blames foreign intervention for Syrian, Iraqi crises

Russian President Vladimir Putin, expected to begin a two-day official visit to Egypt leader on Monday, attributed in remarks published here today turbulent conditions in Iraq and Syria to external intervention.
In remarks to "Al-Ahram" newspaper, Putin indicated at harmony of stances by Moscow and Cairo toward the Syrian crisis, saying both countries support Syria's sovereignty and territorial sanctity, stressing that political conciliation constitutes the sole means to resolve the crisis. Putin called for unconditional dialogue among the Syrians, on basis of the "Geneva declaration," announced on June 30, 2012.
In clear criticism of the western allies' military action against some groups in Syria, Putin said the steps that have been taken by some allied states against "terrorism are incompatible with dangers posed by terrorism which cannot be contained solely with air strikes." On Iran's nuclear issue, he re-affirmed Iran's right for peaceful harnessing of nuclear energy including uranium enrichment, but noted that this should be under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
On internal affairs in Egypt, Putin expressed support for the leadership efforts to restore internal stability and modernize the economy. Regarding his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart, Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, in Sushi, Russia, last year, Putin said the meeting was "effective and fruitful." He re-affirmed desire to cement cooperation with Egypt in combating terrorism.
He confirmed that the Egyptian-Russian ties have been growing and that the commercial exchanges have jumped by 50 percent. Russian companies, he said, have expressed desire to expand cooperation with Egypt in various spheres, particularly in the nuclear and space fields.
Putin is due in Egypt later on Monday on a mission viewed as an eventful turn in history of bilateral relations between the two nations and an occasion to bolster these ties deeper.
The scheduled summit talks between the Egyptian and Russian presidents will tackle the bilateral relations, various regional and international issues and topics of common concern. They will exchange views on regional questions, namely conditions in Syria and Libya and look into prospects of activating the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
Putin visited Egypt in April 2005 and the Egyptian leader met his counterpart in Sushi in August 2014. These latest summit meetings coincided with some developments signaling tangible improvement in the Egyptian-Russian relations, dating back to 70 years ago. Cairo and Moscow established diplomatic relations on August 26, 1943.