File photo of Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (Photo: AP)
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed on Wednesday evening Egypt's support for the unity of Iraq and non-interference in the country's domestic affairs to Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi.
In an official statement by Egypt's foreign ministry, spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that during his meeting with Allawi in Cairo, Shoukry hailed the historic and deep strategic relations between Egypt and Iraq. The FM emphasised Egypt's keeness to develop ties with Iraq across various fields, especially political and economic.
Allawi, who is in Egypt on an official visit, said he valued Egyptian-Iraqi relations and expressed his country's hope for continued work to boost ties.
Both sides agreed to keep working on resurrecting a joint high committee led by the prime ministers of each country, which would aim to hold its first meeting during 2017.
According to the spokesperson, the Iraqi vice president spoke on Iraq's latest domestic developments, including preparations for parliamentary elections, saying that Iraqi politics are undergoing a process of reconstruction.
Shoukry said Egypt stands with Iraq in the face of its challenges, stressing that every effort should be made by the country's various factions to leave conflict behind and uphold national interests.
He also congratulated Allawi on the success the Iraqi army has achieved over Daesh, offering Egypt's support and solidarity with Iraqi efforts to fight terrorism and extremism.
Over the past few years, Egypt and Iraq have been enhancing political, economic and security relations.
In April, the two countries signed an agreement for Iraq to sell Egypt 12 million barrels of oil over the course of one year.
In May, Egypt received two million barrels of crude oil from Iraq, the first shipment to arrive as part of the deal from the country's state oil company SOMO.
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