At the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, an important side meeting took place between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The official statement from the Egyptian presidency highlighted a significant agreement between the two leaders on the need to initiate a comprehensive political process aimed at reaching a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution.
A Meeting of Minds on the Middle East Crisis
According to the spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency, the meeting underscored the urgency of finding immediate solutions to the current crisis, emphasizing the need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. President Al-Sisi presented Egypt’s vision to Macron, stressing the importance of a ceasefire and Egypt’s role in receiving injured Palestinians and evacuating foreign nationals.
Egypt and the UK: A United Stance on Gaza
Additionally, the Egyptian presidency confirmed that Al-Sisi and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared concerns about the seriousness of the situation in Gaza, especially considering the uncalculated repercussions of expanding the conflict on regional stability. During their meeting, Al-Sisi showcased Egypt’s efforts in facilitating calm, advocating for the necessary protection of civilians, and striving towards finding a political horizon for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
Bilateral Cooperation and Climate Action Discussions
The discussions between Al-Sisi and Macron also covered ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, political coordination, and shared views on various topics of mutual interest. The Egyptian presidency’s spokesperson mentioned that the meeting included an exchange of views on climate action developments in light of the Dubai climate summit, as well as the current situation in the Gaza Strip.
Resumption of Hostilities in Gaza
In a related development, Israel resumed its strikes on the Gaza Strip following the end of a humanitarian truce that saw prisoner exchanges over seven days. This action underscores the heightened tensions and the critical need for a sustainable and peaceful resolution in the region, as advocated by world leaders at the climate summit.
