Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Egyptian President Al Sisi

05/26/2021 06:11 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Ned Price:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.  The Secretary conveyed President Biden’s appreciation to President Sisi for Egypt’s critical mediation efforts in support of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and other groups in Gaza and for Egypt’s help in evacuating American citizens to safety.

The Secretary affirmed the strong strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt, and President Biden’s commitment to this relationship.  He reiterated the United States’ commitment to Egypt’s water security and to the urgent resumption of substantive and results oriented negotiations under the leadership of the African Union to resolve the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The Secretary praised Egypt for its efforts on Libya and stressed the United States and noted our mutual support for the Government of Iraq.

The Secretary stressed the importance of human rights, and the two leaders agreed to engage in a constructive dialogue.