Shoukry’s agenda last week also saw him discuss anti-terrorism efforts and improved airport security with the UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. The talks did not break new ground on the issue of the UK’s flight ban to Sharm El Sheikh, but Burt noted that British tourists have been coming to Egypt in greater numbers despite the restrictions. Economic cooperation was also on the table. Burt said the UK’s Trade envoy, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, will be visiting Egypt “soon.” The two also touched on regional issues, including the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the situation in Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Iraq.

Following up on Burt’s visit, the Chairman of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee Charles Farr landed in Cairo yesterday to discuss security and anti-terror cooperation with unnamed Egyptian officials, Youm7 reports.

Separately, Shoukry is heading abroad today on a tour that will take him through Germany, Belarus and Romania, the ministry said in a statement. The minister is scheduled to meet his German and Belarusian counterparts, in addition to the presidents of Belarus and Romania for talks on regional security issues and opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Shoukry is also scheduled to sign three MoUs in Bucharest on tourism cooperation, political consultation, and waiving visa requirements for the two countries’ diplomats.