15 Dec 2017 10:36

Egypt wants clarity on when flights from Russia will resume - Dvorkovich

BISHKEK. Dec 15 (Interfax) - Egypt wants a clear understanding of when flights to and from Russia will be resumed, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said.

Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathi will visit Moscow on Friday to sign an intergovernmental protocol to resume flights between the countries. Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov is supposed to sign the document on behalf of Russia.

"I also saw the report that [the Egyptian minister] is coming with the intention to sign. If this is so, then probably this might happen, because we've been ready to sign for a long time. As far as I understand, it is important for our colleague from Egypt that the date from which flights will resume be clear with the signing. If our ministries come to a common understanding of this date, there is every chance of signing," Dvorkovich said.

President Vladimir Putin, following talks with Egypt's leadership, said on Monday that Russia is generally ready to resume direct flights between Moscow and Cairo. Sokolov said at the time that Russian airlines could resume flights to Egypt in early February.