Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his Iranian counterpart, Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on the sidelines of his official visit to Geneva, Switzerland.
This meeting, aimed at participating in the high-level segment of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament, highlighted a unified stance against any schemes aimed at displacing Palestinians.
The dialogue, detailed by Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, focused on the trajectory of bilateral relations following directives from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Their prior engagement on the sidelines of the joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh last November underscored the importance of resolving outstanding issues to normalize relations based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, and non-interference in domestic affairs, thereby bolstering stability and security in their regional vicinity.
During their meeting, the ministers reviewed various aspects of bilateral relations and followed up on the agenda and outcomes of their previous encounter at the 78th UN General Assembly in New York.
Both ministers expressed aspirations to rejuvenate the normal course of their diplomatic relations, reflecting the historical and cultural legacies of their nations and their pivotal regional roles. The meeting was lauded as a significant step towards this goal.
A major part of the discussion was devoted to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, with a focus on the severe humanitarian conditions resulting from continued Israeli aggressions.
Minister Shoukry briefed his Iranian counterpart on Egypt’s efforts to initiate de-escalation pathways to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and ensure sustainable aid delivery to meet the sector’s needs.
Both ministers reiterated their firm rejection of any plans aiming at the displacement of Palestinians and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.
They agreed to intensify efforts towards an immediate ceasefire and the sustainable provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Addressing the broader regional implications of the conflict in Gaza, Minister Shoukry conveyed Egypt’s deep concerns over the expanding scope of military tensions in the South Red Sea region.
These tensions pose unprecedented threats to international navigation in one of its most critical passages, directly impacting the interests of numerous countries, including Egypt. This situation calls for regional cooperation to support stability, peace, and the resolution of conflicts.
In conclusion, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing stability and security in their regional environment.
They agreed to maintain communication to continue dialogue on various issues of mutual interest at the bilateral, regional, and international levels, reflecting a joint commitment to navigating the challenges facing their nations and the wider region.
