Ashraf AboArafe
A phone call took place on Tuesday, April 8, between Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, and Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy for the Middle East, as part of the ongoing consultation and coordination between Egypt and the United States regarding various issues of mutual interest, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the call addressed the joint efforts undertaken by Egypt, the United States, and Qatar to consolidate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, ensure the start of the second phase, achieve calm, and de-escalate the situation. Minister Abdel Aty also discussed the Gaza reconstruction plan, which has been adopted by Arab and Islamic countries and is supported by the European Union, Japan, and other international actors. They discussed ways to implement it effectively, including with regard to security and governance issues. He noted Egypt’s keenness to hold an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza in cooperation with the United Nations and the Palestinian government, with the participation of international actors.
The Foreign Minister stressed the need to allow humanitarian, medical, and shelter aid to reach Gaza and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. He also emphasized the importance of finding a political horizon that leads to a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Minister Abdel Aty also expressed Egypt’s aspiration to enhance coordination with the US administration to work toward achieving the desired just peace in the Middle East. He noted the importance of concerted efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region and avoid expanding the conflict, given the dire consequences for the peoples of the region.
For his part, Witkoff praised the close relations between Egypt and the United States and the important role Egypt plays in achieving security, peace, and stability in the region.
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