Biden meets with Egypt's Al-Sisi, promises $50 million in assistance

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Jul 2022 22:37

Egypt and the US meet on the sidelines of the Jeddah Summit.

Joe Biden and Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit on July 16th, 2022. (Getty)

On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the Jeddah Summit for Security and Development in Saudi Arabia.

Biden and Al-Sisi both reviewed numerous aspects of bilateral cooperation between Egypt and the US in several fields, especially dealing with the economic repercussions of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war on food and energy security.

In responding to these challenges, the US praised Egypt's pursuit of solutions through the International Monetary Fund, supporting the provision of additional funds to Egypt to ameliorate the consequences of the crises.

Biden said that Washington will be providing $1 billion in assistance to ease the food security situation in the Middle East, with $50 million provided to Egypt in particular.

From the Egyptian side, keenness was expressed regarding increasing partnership between Cairo and Washington - this was Biden's first meeting with Al-Sisi since he assumed office in January 2021.

Earlier on Saturday, Al-Sisi arrived at Jeddah Airport where he was received by the Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Muhammad bin Salman (MBS).

Achieving "peace and stability" in the region was highlighted in the meeting between the two entities, with Egypt affirming its aspiration to coordinate with the US on various issues of mutual interest.

The meeting, furthermore, addressed developments regarding the Ethiopian Dam dispute. Al-Sisi cemented Cairo's position on the necessity of reaching an agreement on operating the dam in a way that preserves Egypt's water security, achieving common interests shared between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.

Egypt also gave positive affirmations regarding the revival of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiation process.

On his part, Biden expressed appreciation towards Al-Sisi's efforts to establish peace in the region, praising Cairo's role in achieving a truce between the Palestinian and Israeli sides and the Gaza reconstruction initiative.