Russia and Egypt have agreed to hold joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean and an anti-terrorist drill of the rapid reaction forces, the Defense Ministry’s press service said.
Russian news agency Tass reported on Tuesday that the Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Egyptian counterpart Sedki Sobhi, who had been in Moscow since Saturday, had reviewed the outcomes of last year's military cooperation and discussed the plans for the coming year. “The parties agreed to continue the practice of inviting Egyptian military personnel to Russian military exercises in the capacity of observers and also to hold joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean, as well as anti-terrosist trainings for the rapid reaction forces," the Defense Ministry’s statement said, according to Tass.
As reported by the Tass agency, Shoigu invited the Egyptian military to the international military sports games and the Army-2015 Forum, which will be held in Russia.
"The two ministers also discussed international and regional security matters," the Defense Ministry added.
On Tuesday, Shoigu said his country and Egypt plan to sign a protocol on military cooperation that will set the guidelines for a long-term agreement.
Egypt and Russia signed in February a memorandum of understanding to establish the first nuclear power plant in Egypt, in addition to an agreement regarding investment cooperation.
Cairo has sought closer economic and military cooperation with Moscow, Washington’s political rival, ever since Egyptian relations with the US have become strained. The United States was hesitant to approve the ouster of Sisi’s predecessor, Mohamed Morsy and later harshly condemned the events of Rabaa al-Adaweya and al-Nahda Square, where at least 800 pro-Morsy demonstrators were killed by the Egyptian military.
