Kerry reaffirms US support for Egypt on first visit since Sisi’s election

On his first visit to Egypt since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was inaugurated, US Secretary of State John Kerry relayed the United States’ continuing support of Egypt, promising economic aid.

In a press conference on Sunday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Kerry said that 10 Apache helicopters would be delivered “very soon” in response to a question about the delay.

Last April, the pentagon announced that it would relax its hold on military aid to Egypt — which had been imposed since the bloody dispersal of two pro-Morsi sit-ins in August — and would deliver 10 Apache helicopters and US$650 million in aid to the Egyptian military. 

Kerry said the US would move ahead with the delivery, as there is a dire need for them in fighting terrorism in the Sinai in coordination with Israel.

Last Thursday, the US Senate Committee — which oversees foreign aid — presented a bill for a new law mandating the reduction of US aid to Egypt.

President Obama and the US administration has approved the aid, Kerry said, adding that it is the Senate that proposed decreasing it. He assured Egyptians that the issue would be resolved soon.

Kerry said that the main challenge currently facing Egypt is providing economic opportunities for its citizens, especially the young. He promised that the US would work towards economic reform together with “friends” in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, to achieve stability.

Kerry met Sisi on Sunday, with whom he discussed pressing issues in Egypt, such as general freedoms and the right to protest.

“I emphasized our strong support for upholding the universal rights and freedoms of all Egyptians, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association,” Kerry said.

They also discussed unrest in Libya and Iraq, since both the US and Egypt share similar fears concerning the turbulent developments, Kerry said.

He also met with Shoukry prior to the press conference, and they discussed bilateral relations during the current phase in Egypt’s transition, as well as the United States’ support for this period, be it financial or other.

The US secretary of state underlined the importance of fighting common threats such as terrorism, as they both agreed on the importance of cooperation between their respective countries to achieve stability, state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram reported. 

Kerry and Shoukry also discussed regional issues, such as the situation in Palestine, Iraq, Syria and Libya.

Kerry highlighted Egypt’s role in the region as both officials agreed on the importance of dialog regarding regional issues.