US Secretary Mike Pompeo's Agenda in Cairo

By Nawal Sayed

CAIRO, Jan. 10 (SEE) - US

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Cairo late Wednesday in a two-day

visit as part of his regional tour in the Middle East.

SEE publishes the Secretary's

agenda in Cairo on Thursday as follows:

First, Pompeo met with President

Abdel Fattah El Sisi in Cairo and discussed recent developments on regional and

international levels.

Secondly, the Secretary will meet

with personnel of US Embassy in Cairo.

Thirdly, Secretary Pompeo will meet

with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry afternoon, before holding a joint press

conference at the ministry's headquarters downtown.

Pompeo and Shoukry will attend a

working lunch in Cairo after finishing their closed and open discussions.

Fourthly, Secretary Pompeo will deliver

remarks on “A Force for Good: America Reinvigorated in the Middle East”, at the

American University in New Cairo.

Fifthly, Pompeo will hold closed

talks with Egyptian Genetal Intelligence Service Director Abbas Kamel.

Secretary Pompeo is on travel to

Amman, Jordan; Baghdad, Iraq; Erbil, Iraq; Cairo, Egypt; Manama, Bahrain; Abu

Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Muscat, Oman;

and Kuwait City, Kuwait from January 8-15.

“The deep commercial, security,

and people-to-people relationships between our two countries are rooted in

mutual interest and respect, as well as our shared commitment to combatting

terrorism and fostering the conditions for prosperity.”  Secretary Pompeo said on July 23, 2018.

Pompeo's visit to Cairo Goals

The

United States seeks broadened and deepened cooperation with Egypt, including on

issues of human rights and civil society.

As US

seeks a stronger partnership, it encourages President Sisi to unleash the

creative energies of the Egyptian people, unfetter the economy, and promote a

free and open exchange of ideas.

The

United States applauds President Sisi’s efforts to promote religious freedom,

which stand as an example for all leaders and peoples of the Middle East. The

Secretary is eager to discuss how the United States can help support President Sisi’s

efforts to reform religious discourse and promote interfaith tolerance, as

evidenced by the recent opening of the new Coptic Cathedral and the Al-Fattah

al-Alim Mosque.

PROMOTING

JOINT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Under President Sisi’s leadership,

Egypt is undertaking many important initiatives, including on the economic and

energy fronts. The United States encourages a greater role for the private

sector in the Egyptian economy, according to recent statements by the US State

Department on Jan. 9.

Total bilateral trade in goods

between the United States and Egypt was $5.0 billion in 2016. Egypt and the United

States signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty in 1982 to promote and facilitate investment

between our countries, the statement added.

America’s Trade and Investment

Framework Agreement with Egypt helps support freer trade and increased

investment flows, helping to advance both countries’ economic interests.