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Middle East and North Africa

Russian and Egyptian foreign ministers to discuss Syria and situation in Mideast

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi will make a working visit to Moscow on September 16-17

Photo ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev

Photo ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Klimentyev

MOSCOW, September 11 (Itar-Tass) - Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi will make a working visit to Moscow on September 16-17 for talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov over Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Wednesday.

The foreign ministers of both countries “will also discuss key international and regional issues, as well as bilateral problems”, the report says.

“Special attention will be riveted to the situation in the Middle East, primarily in Syria and around it, and the Arab-Israeli settlement,” the report says.

“This is the first visit to Russia by the Egyptian minister after the leadership changed. The upcoming talks will allow the parties to study the situation in Egypt and to determine tasks to resume a political process. Moscow believes that Egyptians themselves will be able to decide on their fate without outside interference,” the report says.

Egypt is one of Russia’s key partners in the world. “Ancient friendship and mutual cooperation unite both countries. We seek to preserve Cairo’s active role in international, Middle East and African affairs,” the ministry said, adding, “During the upcoming visit, the parties are expected to discuss further development of foreign political cooperation in order to promote bilateral relations.”

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