MOSCOW. Aug 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia's and Egypt's fruitful military cooperation is based on agreement with regard to fighting international terrorism, which poses a substantial threat to global security, Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Ahmed Zaki said.
"Joint bilateral cooperation (between Russia and Egypt) is based on many things. Among them is a historical aspect connecting our peoples and countries, firm relations between the heads of our countries, and the rapprochement of opinions and evaluations in tackling security challenges that have been affecting security and stability in the region in recent years. These are such challenges as the fight against terrorism and extremism, which pose a threat not only to the countries of the region, but also to global security and peace," Zaki said at a meeting of the Russian-Egyptian commission on military-technical cooperation in Moscow on Monday.
"We're obliged to thank you for what has recently been achieved in the area of military and military-technical cooperation, for taking measures to overcome any obstacles. That confirms us in our desire to continue the development and expansion of joint relations between the armed forces of our friendly countries," the Egyptian military commander said, addressing Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Zaki said he is in Russia to develop friendship and joint cooperation, which reflect the firmness of the two countries' strategic relations and their armed forces fostered by the political leadership of Russia and Egypt.
He thanked Shoigu personally and on behalf of members of Egyptian delegation and the Egyptian Armed Forces for their invitation to attend the meeting of the commission and the 2018 Army Forum, and "for recent positive outcomes of joint bilateral cooperation."