El Sisi concludes Moscow trip with talks on trade, tourism, and Gaza ceasefire

El Sisi, Putin talk boosting cooperation: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held cooperation-centered talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday on the sidelines of the May Victory Day Parades, according to an Ittihadiya statement. The talks touched on expanding cooperation in key sectors including energy, food security, mining, agriculture, and industry.

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Tourism was also a prominent topic on the agenda: Cairo and Moscow agreed to step up Russian tourism flows to Egypt and promote lesser-known destinations to the Russian market.

Both sides expressed anticipation for the Egyptian-Russian Business Forum set to take place this month, which will focus on priority economic sectors.

Diplomatic issues were also on the table: El Sisi and Putin discussed regional issues — with a focus on Gaza, Syria, Libya, Sudan, and Ukraine. Putin voiced Russia’s full support to Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan and Egypt’s efforts to achieve regional stability.

IN A SEPARATE MEETING- El Sisi also held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow, where the two discussed Egypt’s role in mediating a Gaza ceasefire and pushing for the entry of humanitarian aid, according to a separate Ittihadiya statement. El Sisi reaffirmed Cairo’s full support for the Palestinian cause.

WHAT WENT DOWN AT THE EGYPTIAN-SWISS JOINT COMMITTEE-

Enhancing Egyptian-Swiss ties: Egypt and Switzerland held the first meeting of their joint economic committee in Bern yesterday, according to a statement. Representatives from a handful of ministries were in attendance — alongside their Swiss counterparts — to discuss developing trade and investment ties between the two sides and to showcase investment facilities.

Swiss investors like Egypt: Over 100 Swiss companies have direct investments in Egypt across a number of sectors — pharma, F&B, and logistics.