Defense Minister, US Counterpart Discuss Joint Co-op

Egypt's Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki received on Wednesday, his US counterpart Lloyd Austin and his accompanying delegation. 

The meeting dealt with a number of issues of common interest in light of the current regional and international developments and the increase in the areas of military cooperation between the armed forces of both countries.

They also discussed  efforts of the Egyptian armed forces in the field of achieving security and stability in the region, in addition to the file of joint exercises between both Egypt and US.

On his part, Zaki expressed his pride in US Secretary of Defense's visit to Egypt, which comes as an extension of the well-established relations of partnership and fruitful cooperation with US in various military fields, affirming the Egyptian Armed Forces' keenness to increase cooperation and partnership in many fields in a way that meets the common interests of both countries.

Moreover, US Secretary of Defense affirmed his country's keenness to enhance aspects of military relations with Egypt as it is a pivotal and pioneering country in the region, in addition to its role in supporting security, stability and peace in the Middle East, expressing his aspiration that the next stage will witness more joint cooperation in the military field.

The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Osama Askar, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and a number of commanders of the armed forces of both countries.