Egypt and Russia Strengthen Ties as BRICS Summit Kicks Off
As the BRICS summit got underway in Kazan, western Russia, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down for a meeting that signaled a strengthened partnership between their nations. Held on Tuesday, October 22, the meeting marks a significant moment for Egypt, which is among the five countries invited to join the BRICS group this year.
President Putin, expressing his enthusiasm for Egypt’s inclusion, said, “We pay special attention to expanding friendly ties with Egypt, a long-standing and reliable partner of Russia. Last year we celebrated the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.” El-Sissi echoed Putin’s sentiment, highlighting the importance of cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
The Egyptian president’s visit comes at a critical time, as his country struggles to overcome an economic crisis that has been exacerbated by the Gaza war on its north-eastern border. El-Sissi’s comments suggested that Egypt is eager to tap into the opportunities presented by the BRICS group, which has experienced significant growth in recent years.
“I stress our aspiration to activate the frameworks of cooperation with your friendly country, including at the bilateral level through the frameworks of multilateral cooperation, foremost among which is the BRICS group,” El-Sissi said, addressing Putin. El-Sissi further emphasized Egypt’s support for transforming the BRICS group into a platform capable of addressing the negative repercussions of international crises.
As the BRICS summit continues until Friday, October 24, El-Sissi’s meeting with Putin marks an important step towards strengthening Egypt’s ties with Russia and the broader BRICS group. With the potential for closer cooperation on trade, economic development, and more, Egypt’s inclusion in the BRICS group could provide a much-needed boost to its struggling economy.
