Mohamed Zaki met Gen. Michael Kurilla of US Central Command in Cairo to discuss cooperation, weeks after ships from both countries’ navies held training exercises in the Mediterranean.

The pair discussed common interests and strategic partnership, with Zaki stressing Egypt’s keenness to increase cooperation, according to the Defense Ministry.

Kurilla praised the pivotal role played by Cairo in achieving security, stability and balance in the region, and stressed the depth of relations between the two countries, the ministry added.

The US commander also met Lt. Gen. Osama Askar, the chief of staff of Egypt’s armed forces, to discuss ways to boost cooperation in training.

Gharib Abdel Hafez, a spokesman, said the Egyptian military wanted “to raise the level of training and exchange experiences with the armed forces of brotherly and friendly countries.”