Egypt and Russia could cooperate on a lot of common projects for the prosperity and the benefit of both countries, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told his Russian counterpart on Saturday in Moscow.

Al-Sisi arrived in Moscow on Friday to take part in celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.

During the celebrations, al-Sisi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Egypt understands the role that Russia has played to combat fascism, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

The Egyptian president told Putin that he is keen on ties and all sorts of cooperation that will benefit both countries, during a meeting at the Kremlin on Saturday.

The Russian president meanwhile thanked his Egyptian counterpart for participating in the celebrations in Moscow.

Western leaders largely stayed away from the Russian festivities due to differences with Putin over the conflict in Ukraine, while leaders from China, Cuba and Venezuela were present.

Putin has also told al-Sisi that he appreciates his efforts “in solving Egypt’s crisis” and said that Russia will keep supporting him “for the good of your people and your country.”

Russia was the first foreign country al-Sisi visited after his election as president last year.

Cairo has sought to strengthen its ties with Moscow against the backdrop of strained ties with long-time ally Washington since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Egypt had strong ties with Russia in the 1950s and 1960s, and the Soviet Union was the main supplier of arms to Egypt until the early 1970s. Relations soured after Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty bringing in some $1.3 billion in annual US military aid to Cairo in 1979.

Forty percent of European tourists visiting Egypt are Russian.

Source: Ahram Online