UK’s Defence Senior Advisor Concludes Visit to Egypt

Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer, UK Chief of Defence Staff’s Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) has concluded a three-day official visit to Egypt this week.

The visit aimed to further promote the bilateral military cooperation between both countries’ armed forces.

During his visit, DSAME held high-level meetings with senior representatives from the Egyptian Armed Forces and was accompanied by British Defence Attaché Captain (Royal Navy) Stephen Deacon.

The meetings touched on military aspects of common interest including opportunities to conduct joint military and naval exercises.

Views were also exchanged on the latest regional military developments and ways to maintain maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Making remarks at the end of his visit, Lieutenant General Lorimer said: ‘’I am delighted to be back in Egypt and to meet my friends in the Egyptian Armed Forces."

Concerning the Coronavirus global pandemic, he said, "COVID-19 has been a challenge for us all, so I am glad to be able to return to Egypt, whilst observing sensible precaution measures"

"We have had excellent discussions about regional security, current challenges, and discussed how we might work together more closely, including joint military training, COVID-19 permitting. We are determined to continue to cooperate closely in our counter-terrorism efforts and recognize that we have many shared responsibilities and objectives for regional security,’’ Lorimer added.

On his part, British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams said: “DSAME’s visit reaffirmed the UK and Egypt’s longstanding military and strategic partnership. The UK is committed to Egypt’s security and stability, and we look forward to continued cooperation to strengthen our defense relations.”