Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi stressed the importance of strategic relations between Egypt and the United States and his country’s keenness to promote and develop mutual cooperation to serve common interests. Sisi’s remarks came during a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, in the presence of Acting President of General Intelligence Abbas Kamel. Ambassador Bassam Radi, spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, said that Sisi expressed Egypt’s readiness to maintain strong communication with the different components of the American society in order to enhance common understanding and intensify consultation on the best ways to address challenges facing the region, particularly terrorism and extremist ideology. The spokesman added that the members of the US delegation emphasized the importance of the strategic relations between Egypt and the US in all fields, and expressed their appreciation for the Egyptian efforts to overcome various crises in the Middle East, especially the country’s important role in confronting terrorism in general and the comprehensive “Sinai 2018” operation in particular. The delegation also praised the president’s efforts in countering extremist ideology as well as achieving economic development through recent measures taken in the context of the economic reform program. Radi noted that the meeting touched on latest regional and international developments, especially means to resolve crises in the region. The president reaffirmed the necessity to preserve state sovereignty and support national institutions in order to fulfill the responsibility of maintaining security and combating terrorism. With regards to ongoing efforts to advance the peace process, Sisi underlined his country’s support of international efforts and initiatives aimed at reaching a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian Cause, in accordance with the agreed international references and the two-state solution.