Trump and Sisi Discuss 'Expansion of US-Egypt Relations' in Phone Call

Following reports of a reduction in US aid to Egypt, the Egyptian presidency announced on Thursday, September 2, that Donald Trump and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke by phone about the relations between the two countries. According to Reuters, the Egyptian presidency stated in a press release that US President Donald Trump called Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday evening. In this call, he emphasized the friendly relations between Washington and Cairo. The Egyptian presidency added that the US President also expressed his desire to develop and expand the relations between the two countries and stressed the need to remove obstacles affecting these relations. The White House has not yet reacted to this news. On Tuesday, informed sources told Reuters that the US government had halted a $96.7 million aid package to Egypt and delayed a financial aid package worth $195 million. It is reported that the US government imposed this restriction due to 'the lack of progress in Egypt on human rights and democratic values.' Reuters states that Egypt is considered an important US ally in the region, receiving approximately $1.3 billion in aid from the US annually. However, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry criticized the halt and delay of US aid on Wednesday, stating that these actions could have negative consequences for the relations between the two countries. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry expressed regret over such a decision, considering it a sign of a lack of clear understanding of the strategic relations between the two countries. According to Reuters, one of the main criticisms from the US is directed at the law limiting the activities of NGOs in Egypt. Based on a parliamentary resolution that became law about three months ago, signed by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the scope of activities of these organizations is severely restricted, and violations of this law could lead to up to five years in prison. The news of the reduction of US financial aid to Egypt comes just a day after Washington warned about the continuation of its financial aid to Pakistan.