Egyptian president expected at BRICS summit in Kazan in Oct - Putin

MOSCOW. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected at the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Egypt's entry into BRICS unlocks new opportunities for boosting our fruitful cooperation. I note that Russia sincerely supported the Egyptian side's wish to become a full-fledged member of the group from the very beginning. While Russia chairs BRICS this year, we will try to do everything we can to ensure Egypt is effectively integrated into the group's work," Putin said at a virtual ceremony to mark the pouring of the first concrete into the foundation of the fourth reactor unit of the Egyptian el-Dabaa nuclear power plant.

Over 200 BRICS events have been planned, and Russia expects Egyptian representatives to take the most active part in them, Putin said.

"Of course, dear Mr. el-Sisi, we are expecting you at the group summit in Kazan in October this year," he said.

Speaking about bilateral relations, Putin said mutually advantageous cooperation continues to develop. "Egypt is our truly close friend and strategic partner. We interact [based] on the principles of equality, mutual respect and account of each other's interests in strict compliance with the letter and spirit of the Treaty of Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Cooperation signed by us with Mr. el-Sisi in Sochi in 2018," he said.

Bilateral trade is dynamically expanding, and growth reached 20% over the first ten months of last year, Putin said. "Large joint projects, including those in the fuel and energy sector, agriculture, and food cooperation, are being implemented. We are also working on creating a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal area," he said.

In turn, el-Sisi thanked Putin for supporting the el-Dabaa project. "I would like to address my brother, President Putin, and express my profound gratitude for your support for this project. We have achieved great success thanks to your support provided since December 2017. I thank all of you and wish you peace," el-Sisi said.

The Russian and Egyptian presidents exchanged greetings with hand to heart at the virtual ceremony.