Egypt
Egypt and Russia are renewing bilateral relations as Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday May 29, in Cairo.
The both ministers discussed bilateral and regional issues, including negotiations on the resumption of flights between Russia and Sharm al-Sheikh after a nearly 18-month halt.
Russia stopped direct flights to the Red Sea resort in 2015 after a Russian airliner carrying 224 passengers was blown up over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula by a bomb.
A group affiliated with Islamic State (ISIL) claimed responsibility.
A statement from Egypt’s foreign ministry said both ministers were keen for the return of Russian tourists to Egypt and discussed ways to revive trade between the two countries.
Lavrov also held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
According to Russian state news agency Sputnik, Gheit told Lavrov that the Arab League supported the establishment of de-escalation zones in Syria,
but warned that it should not lead to the country’s “fragmentation”.
Russia, Turkey and Iran on on May 4 agreed in a memorandum to establish four separate zones in Syria where hostilities between Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups are halted for at least six months. The guarantors are expected to finalise maps of the de-escalation zones by June 4.
01:10
Tourists and staff evacuated from Kenya's flood Maasai Mara national reserve
01:15
Africa: About 51 million lives saved through immunization programme - WHO
01:11
World Bank suspends funding for Tanzania tourism project
Go to video
Can Kenya's new visa-free policy hurt tourism instead of boosting it?
Go to video
Cape Town named Africa’s Best Airport 2024
01:30
UN reports widening global inequality in sexual and reproductive health and rights