"Board breakfast meeting with Congressmen Lantos" Congressman Tom Lantos (D-California) - (August 17, 2004)

Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt hosted visiting Congressman Tom Lantos (D-California) over a working breakfast on August 17. The breakfast, organized at the request of Congressman Lantos, provided an opportunity for a frank and constructive dialogue with AmCham’s bard and leading members of Egypt’s private sector on a wide range of issues relating to Egyptian American relations, and ways of strengthening the relationship in light of the circumstances facing the region.

AmCham members also expressed their appreciation for US economic aid and recognized its importance to the Egyptian economy. They also pointed to the assistance as a source of stability in the Egypt-US relationship.

The proposal put forward by Congressman Lantos and others to convert US military assistance to Egypt to economic aid was raised during the course of the discussion. AmCham members expressed clearly their view to Congressman Lantos that such a proposal would not be in the interests of Egypt or the United States, and would undermine the close strategic partnership that both countries have managed to build over the past 30 years. AmCham recognizes that the military and security relationship has and will continue to serve as the pillar of the strategic partnership between both countries. AmCham members also emphasized the importance of maintaining the strength of the Egyptian military because Egypt is a strong and stabilizing force in the region.

Additionally, Egypt’s stability is paramount to the growth of the private sector and allows it to flourish and play its part in economic development.

AmCham welcomed the opportunity to relate these views to Congressman Lantos, and looks forward to further pursuing and enhancing such dialogue in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect that have characterized Egypt-US relations over the years.

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