Egypt has expressed its “regret” at a decision by the US to reduce aid allocated to the country, a statement by the country s foreign ministry on Wednesday read.
The decision to reduce “some components of the economic portion [of US aid]” and to “postpone the disbursement of some military components" reflects a “misjudgement about the nature of strategic relations” which have bound the two countries for two decades, the statement read.
The decision also lacks a correct understanding of “Egypt s stability in light of the economic and security challenges facing the Egyptian people and also and implies a mixing of cards that may have negative repercussions on achieving Egyptian-American common interests" the statement added.
Egypt receives $1.3 billion annually in military aid from the United States and nearly $250 million in economic assistance.
The statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry did not include any details about the amount by which the aid programme to the country would be reduced.
In February, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson promised more aid for Cairo s counter-terrorism efforts and economic development plan during a meeting with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Washington, However, President Donald Trump s proposed fiscal budget for 2018 includes cuts to foreign aid and other diplomatic initiatives, potentially affecting the aid programme to Egypt.
A US Senate hearing in April suggested that Washington reconsider its relationship with Cairo given Egypt s human rights record; Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that the hearing was held "with the aim of harming the positive ties between Egypt and the US administration."
