Egypt and Russia are advancing cooperation on maritime navigation and major joint infrastructure ventures, including the El Dabaa nuclear power plant and a Suez Canal industrial zone, officials announced following discussions in Cairo on Monday.
The talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Nikolai Patrushev, an aide to the Russian President and Chairperson of the Maritime Board of Russia, focused on implementing agreements reached between the two countries’ leaderships. This includes understandings established during al-Sisi’s visit to Russia in May 2025 and recent telephone communications, the latest being on March 31, 2026, according to Egyptian Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy.
During the meeting, al-Sisi commended the growing momentum in bilateral relations and trade exchange. He specifically highlighted the El Dabaa nuclear energy project and the planned Russian industrial zone within the Suez Canal Economic Zone as reflections of the specific nature of Egyptian-Russian ties, the spokesman said.
Patrushev, who conveyed greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin, stated that his delegation’s visit underlines Moscow’s commitment to continued joint work with Egypt to activate their strategic partnership across various fields, with a specific focus on maritime navigation. The two sides reviewed the status of existing and potential projects, alongside ongoing discussions between the Russian delegation and relevant Egyptian national authorities.
The Russian aide also expressed Moscow’s appreciation and support for Al-Sisi’s efforts and Egypt’s broader roles, emphasising a desire for sustained, intensive coordination between the two nations at various levels.
The Cairo meeting was attended by senior Egyptian officials, including Minister of Transport Kamel al-Wazir; Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty; and Presidential Adviser for National Security Fayza Abou el-Naga.
The Russian delegation included Yury Matveyev, Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Cairo; Sergei Vakhrukov, Director of the National Maritime Policy Department of the Russian Presidency; Yevgeny Anoshin, Deputy Director of the same department; and Konstantin Manasenko, Adviser to the Russian Presidential Aide.
