Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Thursday that the countries participating in the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum’s (EMGF) meeting, dubbed Philia Forum, seek balanced relations that achieve stability and end crises to ensure that resources are better utilised.

In a joint press conference held in Athens between the ministers of foreign affairs of the countries participating in the Philia Forum, Shoukry said that the participating countries shun double standards that would only lead to narrow and self-centred interests.

He also added that the participant countries adhere to international principles that conform with the United Nations Charter, and that this is the only way to achieve aspirations.

The Philia Forum kicked off earlier on Thursday with the participation of Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE.

Shoukry stressed that Egypt is keen on boosting cooperation with Cyprus and Greece to meet peoples' interests, especially amid political, economic and health challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

He added that Cairo is keen on bolstering ties with world countries and building up relations based on cooperation in order to achieve stability.

Shoukry also slammed “the expansion of foreign forces in Arab territories.”

He called on UN Security Council member states, especially permanent members, to shoulder responsibility vis-à-vis advocating all relevant UN principles to guarantee peaceful solutions in settling conflicts.

Saudi FM Faisal Bin Farhan stressed in the presser on the national sovereignty of states and their independence according to international laws and treaties denouncing intervention in other countries’ affairs.

Emirati Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy said that the increase of challenges and crises in the region demand cooperation and coordination to wisely establish a basis for development, security and peace.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said that the forum witnessed an exchange of views concerning the developments in Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf region.

He also added that the forum did not want to exclude any country and welcomed any country that wanted peace.