Russia seeks airspace exchange deal with Egypt: Report

By Rasha Khalaf

ANKARA

The Russian government on Thursday said it was seeking an agreement with Cairo that would allow its military aircraft to share airspace and airbases with Egypt, according to Russian news agency TASS.

The Russian government published a draft agreement, which, it said, it was negotiating with Egypt, TASS reported.

Under the agreement, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev would appoint Russia’s defense and foreign ministries to negotiate a deal with Egypt for "the exchange of airspace and air infrastructure between the two countries”.

The draft agreement also calls for the use of the two countries’ airspace and airports by both countries’ air forces.

There was no immediate comment from Egypt regarding Russia’s proposed agreement.

Cairo generally refuses to allow its military bases to be used by foreign countries.