In their meeting on Tuesday, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to continue military-technical cooperation between the two states. They also agreed to cooperate "in the fight against terrorism in the Middle East", according to the Egyptian State Information System (SIS). Russian President Putin assured journalists in a press conference that Russia supports Egypt in "in combating terrorism", and it supports all "steps and procedures that Egypt takes in this regard". The two presidents discussed current regional events, including the situations in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and the Gaza Strip. Putin "expressed appreciation" of Al-Sisi's "efforts against terrorism", especially in light of what he said was "a growing terrorist threat in the Middle East". Economic relations between the two countries are expected to intensify as the two presidents agreed to establish a Russian industrial zone in the new Suez Canal project. They also agreed to increase Egyptian exports of food commodities to Russia as well as increase supplies of Russian wheat into Egypt. Putin said that cooperation with Egypt in fields such as nuclear and hydroelectric power, as well as oil, gas, and energy will strengthen as Russian companies open in Egypt. He added that Russia will establish a "free trade zone" with Egypt and revitalise Russian tourism in the country. Ties between the two presidents began to strengthen even as Al-Sisi was defence minister, as visits were exchanged between them along with the Egyptian and Russian foreign ministers. Putin supported Al-Sisi's run for presidency even before the latter had officially announced it. When Al-Sisi won in early June, Putin was quick to congratulate him and invite him to visit Russia.
