Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has stressed the strategic importance of Egypt's relationship with the United States.

Fahmy, who is on a visit to the US, was speaking on Monday with members of the foreign affairs committee of the House of Representatives.

When asked about Russia, Fahmy stressed that Egypt was keen to maintain its strategic relations with the US while also maintaining relationships with countries including Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and others – without replacing one with another.

Former army chief and current presidential candidate Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Fahmy have visited Russia frequently in recent months to enhance bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, Russia has been supporting the transitional roadmap announced after the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi.  

Fahmy`s visit comes days after the US stated it would deliver ten Apache attack helicopters to Egypt to help the government in counter-terrorism operations in the Sinai Peninsula, easing a partial aid suspension following the ouster of Morsi and a violent crackdown on his supporters.

Washington also said an additional $650 million in funding would be released upon congressional approval that Egypt is sustaining its strategic relationship with the US and upholding its obligations under the Egypt-Israel peace treaty, the state department has said.

The US withheld a large chunk of its $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt last October citing displeasure with Egypt's violent measures in dealing with dissent. Washington has however trod lightly when it comes to calling Morsi's removal a coup in order to maintain its strategic ties with its key Middle East ally.

According to a foreign ministry spokesperson, Fahmy will meet with the American media to discuss the current political situation in Egypt.