Egypt Implements All Security Measures Recommended by Russia

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that enhanced security measures had been implemented at three major Egyptian airports - in Cairo, Sharm-el-Sheikh and Hurgada.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — Foreign experts, who have recently inspected the security situation at Egyptian airports, have expressed satisfaction with additional security measures taken by the Egyptian authorities on request by Russia, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told Sputnik on Monday.

"These delegations [of security experts]…say they are satisfied with the work which has been done to ensure security at the airports," Shoukry, who is expected to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday for a two-day visit, said.

He added that enhanced security measures had been implemented at three major Egyptian airports — in Cairo, Sharm-el-Sheikh and Hurgada.

"We have fully cooperated with Russia [on inspection of security measures at airports], and we have agreed to all suggestions and recommendations put forward by Russia," Shoukry stressed.

Russia suspended all flights to and from Egypt last fall after a Russian A321 plane crashed in the Sinai desert on October 31 while flying from the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg. All 224 people on board died in what has become the largest civil aviation disaster in Russian history. Britain also suspended flights to Sharm el-Sheikh after the Russian plane crash.

Russian and Egyptian air safety experts have been working to improve security at Egyptian airports, which Moscow considers key to removing its flights ban.

The absence of Russian and UK tourists has cost Egypt's tourist industry $300 million a month, according to Egypt’s Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou.