Egypt’s Prime Minister Sherif Ismail praised the bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Russia in different fields, expressing his aspiration to expand the economic relations and trade exchange between the two countries during the coming period. He added that Egypt’s agricultural exports to Russia represent 70 percent of the Egyptian exports as whole, stressing his government’s keenness to develop them.

The statements came during the meeting that gathered between Ismail and Russia’s President of Federal Council Valentina Matviyenko who heads a delegation during her current visit to Egypt. The Egyptian official welcomed the Russian delegation. He expressed his appreciation to the notable development in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Egyptian prime minister also discussed the steps taken by the Egyptian government to improve the atmosphere of investment in the country, signaling to the agreement between the two countries to establish an industrial zone. He added that the two countries have good opportunity to increase their cooperation in the iron and steel industry and infrastructure in addition to other fields.

The prime minister expressed his appreciation to the Russian intentions to resume the flights between the two countries during the coming period in the light of the strong relations between the two countries, stressing that the Egyptian government took serious steps to develop the airports and to respond to any Russian requirements in this regard.

On her hand, the Russian official stressed the need for deepening cooperation between the two countries during the coming period especially on the parliamentary level, stressing her keenness to develop the strategic relations between the two countries. She expressed her appreciation to the Egyptian efforts to combat extremism during the recent period, describing Egypt as one of major partners to Russia in the Middle East and the Arab World.