Creation of Russian #industrial zone in #Egypt at final stage, says Russia FM Lavrov Russia is developing regional economic projects with countries of the League of Arab States and the project of the Russian industrial zone in Egypt in particularis at the closing stage, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference in conclusion of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum. "Morocco is one of our leading trade and economic partners. We are developing projects having the regional coverage potential with Morocco and with many other members of the Arab League. The topic of creating the Russian industrial zone in Egypt, in the Suez Canal area, is at the final stage," Lavrov said. "This project also focuses on having the regional dimension. We support as a matter of principle having as much as possible projects that do not pertain to bilateral ties only but also create the regional foundation for strengthening, in particular, positions of our friends in this region," the top Russian diplomat added.

Putin may be invited to France in 2024, says Macron French President Emmanuel Macron does not rule out that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be invited to visit the country in 2024 once Ukraine peace talks are held, Macron said in a televised interview on the France 5 channel. "Only if he [Putin] holds peace talks and changes the situation with Zelensky," Macron said in a long television interview broadcast on France 5 TV channel. Journalists who spoke with the French President discussed major events coming up in 2024, including celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. They listed the participants in the upcoming celebrations, noting that the Russian leader probably would not be among them. The last time Russian President Vladimir Putin attended events marking the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II was 10 years ago, in 2014.