SECRETARY KERRY WELCOMED BY SAMEH SHOUKRY EGYPTIAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER

USPA NEWS - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, joined by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, addresses reporters during a news conference following a series of security and economic meetings during a Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Egypt in Cairo, Egypt, on August 2, 2015.

JOHN KERRY STRESSES ON THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF EGYPT IN THE REGION AND WORLD AFFAIRS “Well, thank you, Sameh. Good morning, everybody. I can say for myself I am really delighted to be back here in Cairo, and very happy to be here with Ambassador Steve Beecroft, who is doing a great job here, and with a strong delegation from the United States to pick up where we left off. And we are happy to be re-engaging and in this dialogue. Said Secretary Kerry in Cairo. I want to thank you, Sameh, I want to thank President Al-Sisi for bringing our two delegations together today. I think what you have just articulated about the importance of Egypt and the importance of the relationship can´t be understated. Egypt has long played a pivotal role in the region and in world affairs, and we have great confidence, I assure you, that that´s part of the foundation on which we will build the future. We have confidence in Egypt, and it´s important to be beginning to rebuild elements of our relationship based on this Strategic Dialogue.“ Said John Kerry

-------------------------DAEESH IS DEEPLY FOCUSED IN THE AGENDA---------------------------------------------------------- John Kerry recalled that : As a Senator and as Secretary of State I´ve been to Cairo many times in many different circumstances, but my message has always been the same: The American people are committed to the security and to the economic well-being of the Egyptian people, guided by the vibrancy of your own civil society, your politics, your free and fair democratic process.“ Daeesh is the key problem and the central subject of concern from both sides for turning points of collaboration as part of this strategic dialogue. Egypt is a country of vital geo-strategic position in the Middle East conflict issues. “The agenda for our delegations today is very broad. It ought to be, it includes the threat posed by Daeesh, which is serious. Just two days ago, General Allen met in Canada with 22 nations. We continue to be deeply focused on Daeesh, and we believe we´re making progress. In the last few days ““ and this is something I know you will want to talk about -- Turkey has come to the table. I know there are always concerns about what that means, but I can assure you the activities are clear and delineated, and we can discuss that in the course of the morning. It is vital for us to focus on the question of all violent extremist groups, because it goes to the very question of the civility of the Middle East.“ Said Secretary Kerry.