In an interview with MENA, Griffith noted that there is great cooperation between Cairo and Washington at various levels such as climate cooperation meant to address climate change impacts, in addition to educational, cultural, economic, trade, and health, specifically regarding combating the coronavirus pandemic.

She affirmed that the strategic partnership between Egypt and the US is the basis for regional peace and stability.

"The United States has worked side by side with Egypt since the coronavirus outbreak to curb its spread," Griffith said, noting in this regard that Cairo has shown remarkable generosity as it donated medical equipment to Washington. “We reiterate our thanks to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian people for that,” she noted.

The official added that the US Embassy in Egypt announced in January the delivery of 1.8 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Cairo as part of global efforts exerted by the US to fight the pandemic.

Describing the cooperation between Cairo and Washington as “great and deep”, Griffith said that both countries are working to cement bilateral relations at various levels.

During the US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue held in November 2021, both countries affirmed their commitment to defense cooperation in order to address current and future challenges including countering terrorism as well as border and maritime security, she added.

The US and Egypt are engaged in the fight against climate change effects, the official said, pointing out that strong action to address the climate change crisis is urgent more than ever.

Griffith add that a number of US companies are working with various sectors in Egypt to provide them with expertise in different projects to help the country address climate change impacts and be a pioneer in the green energy field.

She added that the US is looking forward to more cooperation with Egypt, the host of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) scheduled to be held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

Noting that Egypt-US strategic ties are about two centuries old, Griffith emphasized that Egypt is a key partner in combating terrorism, establishing lasting peace, and ensuring regional stability. 

Griffith asserted the US support for all efforts exerted by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to hammer out a permanent solution regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue.

"We understand the importance of the Nile River waters for the three countries, and we encourage them to resume dialogue because solution will only be found through talks among the three countries. Solutions cannot be imposed by any outside party,” she asserted.

In the same regard, the official said that the US has discussions with the three countries and is ready to provide any technical assistance should the three parties request that.

Being an observer in the African Union-led process concerning GERD talks, Washington seeks to facilitate a fruitful dialogue and a constructive approach to negotiations by all parties to the dispute, Griffith said. 

Griffith said the Russia-Ukraine crisis was among the files US President Joe Biden discussed with his counterparts in the Middle East during his recent trip; given the very negative effects this crisis has had on the region, most notably in the fields of food security and energy.

The US president discussed with leaders of the Middle Eastern countries ways to confront such negative impacts, the official added.

Biden’s Middle East trip comes within the framework of an important agenda with Saudi Arabia, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries, she noted.

This agenda focuses on achieving positive results for the US people as well as for peoples of the Middle East, in addition to ending wars and achieving stability in the region, she pointed out.

The US attaches great importance to the Middle East and its partners there, Griffith said, noting that Biden’s visit was meant to strengthen communication and means of joint cooperation, discuss urgent regional and international files, and probe their repercussions on the region.

The official added that the Biden administration is keen to bring about stability and security to the region, address common threats, as well as to combat terrorism and violent extremism.

It is also working to foster cooperation with Middle Eastern countries and cooperation among them as well, she noted.

Griffith said the US seeks to increase cooperation with the region to help in its efforts for economic progress, sustainable development, and combating climate change.

Regarding the results of the Jeddah Summit for Security and Development that was held in Saudi Arabia, she pointed to the initiatives launched in all the countries visited by President Biden during his Middle East trip, in addition to regional initiatives and cooperation among the Middle Eastern countries, describing them all as positive indicators of increasing cooperation within the region.

This state of affairs will help in strengthening the existing US partnerships and consolidating regional security, according to her.

She quoted President Biden saying that the final touches have been made to an agreement to link the Iraqi electricity network with the power grids of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries through Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and echoed his assertions on the need to deepen Iraq's integration in the region and reduce its dependence on Iran.

She highlighted as well the agreement between the US and Saudi Arabia on working to strengthen and extend the ceasefire in Yemen.

Biden also announced new initiatives to support the Palestinian people, create the appropriate environment that will lead to direct negotiations to reach a two-state solution, and increase UNRWA funding and strengthen relations between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, she said, noting that all these steps are promising indications of a brighter future for the region.