Putin, El-Sisi discuss El Dabaa, Russian industrial zone in Suez Canal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Jan 2025 20:10
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Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening friendly ties and advancing cooperative ventures.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sissi meet at the Constantine Palace on the sideline of the Russia Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 (Vladimir Smirnov/TASS Host Photo Agency Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi held a phone conversation on Tuesday to discuss progress on key bilateral initiatives and address regional concerns, according to a Kremlin statement.

The discussion touched on progress on significant joint projects, including Egypt's first nuclear power plant, El Dabaa, which is being constructed with Russian assistance. The $26 billion project, set to feature four reactors with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts, is expected to generate substantial revenues over its operational lifespan. Another topic was the development of a Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal, aimed at boosting local manufacturing and positioning Egypt as a hub for exports to other regions.

The Kremlin noted that "topical issues of development of bilateral cooperation in trade and economic, agricultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as the progress of major joint projects," were thoroughly discussed. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthening friendly ties and advancing cooperative ventures.

Egypt's accession to BRICS was also part of the backdrop for this growing partnership. The BRICS collaboration has bolstered political and economic coordination between Russia and Egypt, with over 200 joint events and significant Egyptian governmental delegations visiting Moscow in the past year, as mention on Egypt's State Information Service website.

War on Gaza

The conversation also addressed the Gaza war, particularly in light of a recent agreement between "Israel" and Hamas. According to the Kremlin, "They discussed the situation in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in light of the agreement recently signed between Israel and the Hamas movement."

Putin acknowledged Egypt's crucial mediation role, as well as efforts by other countries, in facilitating the agreement.

The leaders further exchanged views on Syria and reaffirmed the importance of respecting its territorial integrity.

As Egypt strengthens ties with Russia, it has faced notable pressure from Western nations. Despite such challenges, Egypt has refrained from aligning with Western sanctions on Moscow following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, maintaining a neutral stance.