CAIRO: Egypt and the US will hold a “strategic dialogue” in July, the presidency announced Thursday, amid a growing rapprochement in ties.

Following the overthrow of Muhammad Mursi two years ago, Washington froze $1.3 billion in annual military aid to Cairo.

While it resumed the assistance in March, it has continued to denounce the repression of Mursi’s supporters.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by telephone with President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi to discuss holding a “strategic dialogue” between the two countries on July 28-29, El-Sissi’s office said.

The president welcomed that, saying he “expected the results to enrich the strategic relations between the two countries in different fields,” a statement said.

Kerry was also keen to discuss new ideas with El-Sissi “to push peace efforts in the Middle East,” the statement added.

He stressed “the pivotal role of Egypt in the Middle East and its deep expertise regarding the efforts to settle” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Thursday’s statement comes three days after Egypt said it had taken delivery of two more US fast missile boats.