Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, according to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport, Lapid was received by Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Nabil Habashi. During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shekari.
In a gesture aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, Lapid, in coordination with the Israel Antiquities Authority, will return Egyptian archeological items seized in Israel, according to the Foreign Ministry. IAA director Eli Escosido is a member of the Israeli delegation.
“Strengthening Israel-Egypt relations from a political-security point of view is a very important interest of the State of Israel. Foreign Minister Lapid’s visit is a continuation of the Israeli government’s foreign policy to leverage the common interests of regional stability,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.
