In the lead up to the meeting, Vice President Biden met with leaders of several countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Biden also met with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and discussed human rights with them. Biden was criticized for not speaking out about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in the West Bank. Despite the criticism, the US President pressed the Saudis to make sure there would be no repeat of the incident.
The US also commended Egypt for its efforts to restore the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations process. US President Biden also expressed gratitude toward Egypt for its efforts to bring peace in the Middle East, including achieving a Gaza truce. Both leaders emphasized the US’s desire to activate frameworks for joint bilateral cooperation and increase strategic coordination and consultation between the United States and Egypt. Biden and Sisi reviewed a number of areas in which the US and Egypt are cooperating.
The United States and Egypt are both concerned with the conflict in Yemen. As a host country of Palestinian refugees, Jordan is important to the region. However, the country has been plagued by high unemployment and inflation and is currently under house arrest. In addition, Biden has publicly urged the Saudis to adopt a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Egypt and the US play pivotal roles in the Middle East. Together with the United States, Egypt is the pillar of peace in the region. President Sisi welcomed the meeting with Biden and reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to further the partnership. Egypt looks forward to more consultations and coordination. However, the two presidents also agreed that they would meet again soon.
The United States has congratulated President Al-Sisi on hosting the COP 27 conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November of 2022. Egypt will also lead the Adaptation in Africa initiative, a UN effort to help Africans live sustainably in the face of climate change. The joint US-Egypt Climate Working Group is expected to convene soon.
The US President Sisi also discussed Egypt’s long-standing Nile dispute. The two countries have been at a standstill for over a decade over the Grand Renaissance Dam. Biden was particularly appreciative of Egypt’s efforts to bring peace to the region and to aid in the reconstruction of Gaza. The two leaders agreed to meet on a regular basis to resolve regional conflicts.