Ashraf AboArafe
Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on the morning of Tuesday, January 23, 2024, with the Chairman of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC), David McAllister, prior to the tenth meeting of the Association Council between Egypt and the European Union, to consult on a number of bilateral, regional and international issues of interest. Subscriber.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesman and director of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the meeting reaffirmed the importance that both sides attach to strengthening communication between Egypt and the European Parliament, and opening channels for direct and constructive dialogue based on the foundations of friendship and mutual respect. David McAllister also stressed the support of the European Parliament and the Foreign Affairs Committee for the path of upgrading relations between Egypt and the European Union in light of Egypt’s pivotal and regional role in enhancing the security and stability of the region, in addition to what this step will contribute to opening new paths of cooperation in areas of common interest. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee pointed to the appreciation that Egypt enjoys within various European Union institutions, and the consensus of these institutions on the importance of upgrading relations with Egypt as it is a strategic partner of the European Union.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the meeting also witnessed the welcome of mutual visits with political movements in the European Parliament, and what they contribute to clarifying the vision regarding Egypt, whether internally or within the framework of its geographical surroundings and its vital regional role in the region, as the Chairman of the Relations Committee expressed The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation for the visit he made to Egypt during the past year, and the in-depth discussions it included about the positive developments that Egypt is witnessing during the current period at all levels, in addition to the most important issues raised at the regional and international levels.
Ambassador Abu Zeid added that the developments of the crisis in Gaza occupied a large part of the meeting, as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee was keen to learn about the Foreign Minister’s assessments of ways to resolve the crisis and the results of his contacts with various parties during the recent period, as well as the results of his meetings with foreign ministers and Union officials. During the work of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, which was held yesterday, January 22, 2024. For his part, Minister Shukri reviewed in detail the determinants of the Egyptian position regarding this crisis, as well as the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, which imposes the inevitability of implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2720 to facilitate, coordinate and monitor the process of bringing humanitarian aid into the Strip to ensure the smooth access of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Complete and sustainable. The Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee appreciated the role played by Egypt in resolving the current catastrophic crisis in the Gaza Strip and delivering humanitarian aid to the residents of the Strip, stressing what Egypt represents as a pillar of security and stability in the region, and the Foreign Affairs Committee’s support for the Egyptian role and their reliance on it to end this crisis. The meeting also discussed the exchange of assessments regarding developments witnessed in the security of international navigation in the Red Sea in connection with the crisis in Gaza, as well as the situation in Sudan.
The meeting concluded with both sides emphasizing the importance of continuing communication channels between them with the aim of consultation and close coordination on the common challenges facing the region.
