President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends, colleagues, I am very pleased to see you.
Last year we marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our countries. We are developing our relations today, too, and very actively. And, without doubt, Egypt is Russia’s reliable partner in general and in the Middle East in particular.
The Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation, which we signed during your visit to Russia in October 2018, makes it possible to bring our relations to a new level.
We also coordinate our efforts on the global stage. I would like to thank you for agreeing to co-chair together with us the first Russia-Africa summit, which will be held this October.
Trade is also increasing. Last year it grew by 14 percent to reach almost $8 billion, and added another 25 percent in January and February.
I am very glad to have this opportunity to meet with you, Mr President.
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (retranslated): Thank you very much, Mr President.
It is true that our relations are of a strategic nature. They are also historic and we strive to develop them.
As you have said, the Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation, which we signed last October, really helps to promote such cooperation. We also reaffirm our intention to develop relations in all spheres.
Mr President, I hope the upcoming Russia-Africa summit will be successful and fulfil all the tasks it addresses. Thank you very much for the opportunity to co-chair this large summit together with you.
<…>