(VOVworld) – US Secretary of State John Kerry and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri held the first bilateral strategic dialogue since 2009 on Sunday.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri (R) and US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) in Cairo August 2, 2015. (Photo: Reuters/Brendan Smialowski)

At a joint press conference, Kerry said the United States and Egypt are returning to a “stronger base” in bilateral ties despite tensions and human rights concerns. He said the nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers last month will make Egypt and the region safer. Shukri said Egypt had no major disagreements with the US, only differences in points of view over certain issues, which is natural.