The resumption of flights between Egypt and Russia will serve the further development of bilateral relations, Egyptian ambassador to Moscow Ihab Nasr said on Friday at an online conference.
"This air traffic will certainly serve the development of our relations. It is also very important for the economies of both countries because tourism creates new jobs. This applies to the hotel business as well as aviation. Tourism is closely connected with other sectors of the economy", he said.
According to the head of the Egyptian diplomatic mission, "the most important thing" is that the decision of the parties to resume regular flights creates a "bridge that connects the two peoples" and "creates opportunities for better mutual understanding." "It reflects the strong relationship that connects our two countries," the diplomat continued. - "I am very happy to note that there is great interest in Russia. Now the air service will be daily, and perhaps it will cover all the needs. It is very important. It also reflects the desire of Russian tourists to resume their holidays in Egypt."
"There will be direct flights from 46 cities twice a week to both Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. This will help Russian tourists a lot," the diplomat added.
According to him, it will reduce the cost of travel, because residents of many Russian cities will not have to change flights to Egypt in Moscow.
Situation in Egyptian resorts
As Nasr noted, almost zero number of coronavirus infections is recorded in popular among Russian tourists resorts in Egypt - Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
"The coronavirus pandemic is a big challenge for us, as well as for the rest of the world. But we are doing everything so that it will not affect tourists' vacation, to ensure the highest degree of safety for Russian tourists, as well as for all others," he said. - "I would also like to briefly mention that the level of coronavirus infection in Egypt is one of the lowest in the world. I should say that the number of infections in the two provinces where Russian tourists go, in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, is almost zero.
At the same time, the ambassador noted that Egypt is taking all necessary measures to prevent the infection of tourists. "Even in the first days of the crisis we had a special decision to carry out the necessary sanitization of all hotels," added Nasr. - "All hotel and service sector workers have been vaccinated since April of this year. 100% of our hotel and service workers were vaccinated two months ago".
Issue of tourism
In addition, Nasr stressed, a meeting of delegations within the framework of the Russian-Egyptian contact group to monitor the situation of tourism in the resorts of the Arab Republic will be held in early September.
"I think there will be an important meeting of the two delegations early next month. Issues concerning our tourism will be discussed there," he said, responding to a question about the start of the respective contact group.
According to him, the main purpose of the contact group is to solve the problems that may arise among the Russian tourists during their visit to Egypt.
In July the head of Rostourism Zarina Doguzova at the negotiations via video-conference with the Egyptian delegation headed by the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt Khaled Al-Anani offered to establish a Russian-Egyptian contact group for permanent monitoring of the situation with Russian tourists.
On July 8, 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin cancelled the 2015 decree banning Russian airlines from flying to Egyptian resorts. On August 9, the first after the resumption of air links between Russian cities and resorts in Egypt, a plane of Rossiya Airlines landed at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS