US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo on Sunday and said that he chose Egypt to be the first stop in his tour of the Middle East because the US and Egypt have a strategic partnership and distinguished bilateral relations.

Blinken met on Sunday with a number of Egyptian youth at the American University in Cairo (AUC), which he said was an ancient institution that had witnessed the training and education of thousands of Egyptians and Americans, and had been a communication platform for years.

He pointed out that the presence of young people fuels this strategic partnership and makes it more than a relationship between governments, especially since Egypt is a young country with more than 60% of its population of young people.

Blinken added that it is young people who will carry this bilateral relationship forward and it is necessary to listen to them because they are the leaders of the future, noting that even if politicians have done their job well over the years, it does not mean that there is no room for learning and development.

He added that it is young people who will deal with the consequences of climate change, and it is they who will have to find ways to promote sustainable growth and face the challenge of food security. He expressed his happiness for the Egyptian youth to share ideas and listen to them.

Referring to the establishment of the Youth Council, he said that it is designed not only to give advice to young people, but also to exchange ideas on all issues. He stressed that ” your thoughts will be different from the thoughts of people our age.”

The US Secretary of State discussed with young people the issues of climate change, promoting growth and empowering women.

Before his arrival, Blinken said that his visit to Egypt confirms the commitment of the US to deepening bilateral relations.

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi is scheduled to receive on Monday US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially since Egypt has historically played the role of mediator with the Palestinians.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is scheduled to receive his US counterpart on Monday to advance the strategic partnership between the two countries and strengthen security and peace in the region, including through joint support for the elections in Libya and the ongoing political process led by the Sudanese.

Minister Blinken’s visit to Egypt comes as part of a tour of the region that also includes Israel and the West Bank.

The US embassy in Cairo quoted Blinken as saying that he was visiting Egypt, Israel and the West Bank on his fourth trip to the region as Secretary of State.

Blinken added that this trip confirms the deep commitment of the United States to deepening bilateral relations and ties between peoples, promoting human rights, and strengthening regional and global security.

On Monday, Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry is scheduled to hold a joint press conference with his American counterpart at the headquarters of the Ministry of foreign affairs.

The visit coincides with the escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, and its agenda also includes discussion of the issues of Iran and the war in Ukraine.

After Cairo, Blinken will travel on Monday to Jerusalem, where the new right-wing Israeli government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu is raising concerns at home and abroad about the future of secular values in Israel and the stalled peace talks with the Palestinians.

Blinken will also travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian officials and members of civil society.

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