US "committed" to strong relationship with Egypt

The US affirmed here Saturday that the NGO issue is a matter of "serious continuing concern" for the US. State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters, "We have all been focused over these past few weeks on the NGO issue, and it is a matter of serious continuing concern for the United States". She stressed that "it is also important to underscore that the United States remains committed to a strong bilateral relationship with Egypt". "Despite the recent strains, and differences on certain issues, the fundamentals of this strategic relationship remain strong," she noted. She affirmed "we continue to work together to protect regional peace and security and to address the full range of regional issues before us". She added that the US "is committed to supporting the transition to democracy in Egypt, and we welcome the progress that has been made by Egypt in conducting free elections for both houses of Parliament". "The United States is also committed to ensuring Egypt's economic and financial stability," she continued". In this regard, the US "continues to support the efforts of the IMF to conclude an economic reform and stabilization program with Egypt and remains in close touch with other donors on ways to assist the Egyptian economy," Nuland affirmed. "The United States and Egypt have been close partners for many decades, and we look forward to a close partnership for many decades to come," she remarked.