Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Russia on Monday on a three-day state visit aiming at bolstering ties between the two countries.
Three years after a bomb downed a Russian plane killing more than 200 holidaymakers in Egypt, the two countries are believed to be on the verge of signing a draft treaty on partnership and strategic cooperation during Sisi's visit.
Economic and trade ties to be enhanced
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin will host Sisi for two days of talks at his residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi starting Tuesday.
Sisi will discuss several files, mainly bilateral relations, trade exchange, and cooperation in the field of transport, especially trains, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.
Egyptian officials said the visit will enhance economic and trade ties and include discussions to advance the construction of the nuclear plant Russia is building on Egypt's Mediterranean coast.
Military-technical cooperation on agenda
The two leaders will discuss military-technical cooperation during Sisi's visit, Russian presidential envoy for the Middle Eastern and African countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told TASS earlier this month.
"Cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres allows Egypt's armed forces and law enforcement to counter terrorist threats more effectively," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the remarks in an op-ed published on the website of Egypt's Al-Ahram newspaper on Saturday.
Lavrov said political dialogue between Russia and Egypt is actively developing, calling the two countries consistently support the settlement of multiple crises and conflicts through exclusively political and diplomatic means.
He noted Russia and Egypt also support uniting the international community for countering terrorism and extremism and strengthening the regime of the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
'Russia to restore old friendships with Egypt'
The Russian embassy in Moscow once said Russia is "seeking to build new alliances and restore old friendships, specifically with Egypt, which has effective influence in the region and the world."
Sisi's visit to Moscow "comes within the framework of coordination and consultation between the two countries," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said.
He noted in remarks published by Russia Today that bilateral relations will "top consultations between the Egyptian and Russian presidents, who would also touch on expanding trade exchange, currently estimated at 6.5 billion US dollars."
(Cover: The visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin(L) shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi at a joint press conference after their meeting in Koba Palace, Cairo, Egypt, February, 10, 2015. /Xinhua Photo)
(With inputs from agencies)