(VOVworld) - Egypt and the United States will hold a "strategic dialogue" in July amid a growing rapprochement in bilateral ties strained after the army ousted president Mohamed Morsi two years ago. According to an announcement Thursday from the Egyptian presidential office, US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by telephone with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about holding a "strategic dialogue" on July 28-29. The Egyptian president welcomed the idea, saying he "expected the results will enrich strategic relations between the two countries in several fields". Mr. Kerry was keen to discuss new ideas with Sisi "to push peace efforts in the Middle East," according to the statement. He stressed "the pivotal role of Egypt in the Middle East and its deep expertise regarding efforts to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.