• Putin to MENA: Our ties with Egypt are distinguished
    Putin to MENA: Our ties with Egypt are distinguished

Russian President Vladimir Putin described Russian-Egyptian relations as distinguished.

He said that we have good ties with friendly Egypt thanks to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi who has been always exerting strenuous efforts to boost such bonds.

President Putin further said the volume of trade exchange is increasing between the two countries and we work to carry out giant projects, especially El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project which is being implemented as per outlined plans along with industrial zones projects.

The Russian leader was answering a reporter's question during his meeting with representatives from major news agencies and media outlets in BRICS countries in the Russian capital Moscow.

President Putin commended the speech of president Sisi to the BRICS Business Forum in which he talked about the projects that are being fulfilled by Russia in industrial zones and in the vicinity of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).
Russian President Vladimir Putin went on to say that such projects will not only pump big investments, but they are also considered as a development of industrial partnership, which, he said is very important.

We will maintain our joint work in the humanitarian field, including qualification of cadres and cooperation in the security domain, he said, adding we will work on both cooperation and military production, he pointed out.

Putin underscored the importance of cooperation in the international arena and regarding peace and security in the region.

Additionally, Putin said the introduction of a unified currency for the BRICS group was premature for now as it would require a high level of integration among member countries.

Putin said BRICS countries should act gradually, adding that Russia intended to strengthen the new BRICS bank.

The Russian president's remarks came in response to questions by the representative of the Middle East News Agency (MENA) about Russia's vision on the future of cooperation among the Group's countries and Does the world need further groups? and will a unified currency for the countries of the BRICS group be introduced?

Putin said he is keen to build up BRICS – which has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates as well as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – as a powerful counterweight to the West in global politics and trade.

Putin said the development of the BRICS group will be positively reflected on the situation in the world at large.

What sets BRICS apart from many other international organizations? BRICS was never meant to be created in opposition to anyone. It is a group of countries that work together, guided by shared values, a common vision for development, and, most importantly, by the consideration of each other’s interests, Putin concluded.