Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian on the sidelines of the 78th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Foreign Ministry
The meeting was held on Wednesday at the headquarters of Egypt’s permanent mission in New York on the sidelines of the 78th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid.
The Iranian foreign minister stressed that the meeting was an important step toward normalizing relations between the two countries, affirming his country's aspiration to enhance its relationship with Egypt and return it to its natural course according to the historical and cultural weight of both nations, said Abu Zeid.
The two top diplomats expressed keenness to contribute to stability and security in their region, added Abu Zeid.
Meanwhile, FM Shoukry stressed during the meeting that complicated crises seriously threaten stability and living conditions for all the people in the region without exceptions, thus necessitating cooperation between all parties to end pockets of tension.
The two ministers agreed to continue dialogue on various bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual concern, said Abu Zeid.
On Thursday, the Iranian Tasnim News Agency also reported that "Amir-Abdollahian and Shoukry have stressed the need to pave the way for the fulfillment of mutual interests through constant dialogue among the officials of the two nations."
Also on Thursday, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said the meeting between the two foreign ministers of his country and Egypt could usher in “a new chapter to start and revive relations” between the two countries, according to a statement released by the Iranian presidency.
The meeting between the Egyptian and Iranian foreign ministers comes amid recent thawing in relations between the two countries that were ruptured more than four decades ago in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In July, Tasnim reported that direct flights between Tehran and Cairo could start in 45 days.
In March, Egypt eased tourist visa requirements for Iran nationals, allowing Iranians who wish to visit South Sinai through a certified tourist agency to obtain a visa upon arrival.
Also in the spring, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei affirmed that Tehran welcomes a restoration of relations with Egypt.
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