*Administration of Barack Obama, 2014 *

**Remarks Prior to a Bilateral Meeting With President Abdelfattah Said Elsisi of Egypt in New York City **

*September 25, 2014 *

Well, I want to welcome President Elsisi to New York and to the United States. And I'm very much looking forward to this opportunity to share ideas.

Obviously, the U.S.-Egyptian relationship has been an important cornerstone of our security policy and our policy in the Middle East for a very long time. This is our first opportunity, face to face, to discuss a wide range of issues, everything from the Palestinian-Israeli situation in Gaza to Libya, to the issues of ISIL, Iraq, and Syria.

And so I want to welcome the President here and his delegation, and I look forward to a constructive, productive conversation.

Okay. Thank you, everybody.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:30 p.m. at United Nations Headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization.

*Categories:* Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Egypt, President Elsisi*.*

*Locations: *New York City.

*Names:* Elsisi, Abdelfattah Said*.*

*Subjects:* Egypt : President; Egypt : Relations with U.S.; Iraq : Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist organization; Israel : Gaza, conflict; New York : President's visits; Palestinian Authority and Palestinians : Gaza :: Conflict with Israel; Syria : Civil war and sectarian conflict.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201400707.