Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Sameh Shoukry

New York, NY

Palace Hotel

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  It’s a pleasure to be with a longtime friend and colleague, Foreign Minister Shoukry.  (Inaudible) the opportunity to visit Egypt early in my tenure.  Greatly appreciate the hospitality, but more than that, the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt across so many different issues, many of which we’ll discuss today, from Libya to Sudan to Gaza; economic partnership as well.  So much to discuss, and Sameh, very good to see you as well.  Thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER SHOUKRY:  Thank you very much, Secretary Blinken.  It’s always great to be with friends, and I certainly have enjoyed always our interactions, and again, to reiterate the importance that Egypt attaches to the strategic relationship with the United States is indispensable for our mutual interests.  And as also discussed, we will (inaudible) our development in Egypt.  I think we have a variety of challenges, and we recognize that we can meet those challenges through a robust cooperation with the United States.  So I am very happy to have this opportunity, and I hope we will have very many more to come, whether in Washington or in Cairo.

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thank you.