After 6-Year Hiatus, Egypt, US Resume Strategic Talks

Egypt and the United States on Sunday resumed strategic dialogue talks after a six-year hiatus, following U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's arrival to the country one day earlier.



"The launch of the strategic dialogue today is a serious chance for the two sides to review the different aspects of the Egyptian-American relationship -- politically, militarily and economically," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri said in his opening remarks.



Egypt, he said, "looks forward to the continuation of close cooperation" with a view to guaranteeing both countries' security and encouraging the U.S. to take advantage of economic opportunities available in Egypt.



Kerry, for his part, reiterated Washington's support for Egypt.



"The American people are committed to the security and economic wellbeing of the Egyptian people," he asserted.



"The friendship between our countries isn't based on some kind of perfect agreement," Kerry added. "It's based on an intense awareness of our shared interests in the areas of regional security and counter-terrorism."



Kerry is expected to meet with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi later on Sunday before setting out for Qatar.



Egypt-U.S. relations soured after the Egyptian military ousted Mohamed Morsi -- Egypt's first democratically-elected president -- in mid-2013.



In the wake of Morsi's overthrow, Washington suspended its annual military aid to Egypt -- but announced its resumption earlier this year.



Last week, the U.S. delivered eight F-16 fighter jets to Egypt as part of a military aid package.



Cairo and Washington last held strategic dialogue talks in 2009. - Mısır