Shoukry spoke with Xavier Bettel, deputy prime minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and minister of foreign affairs, trade, cooperation, and humanitarian affairs, on the sidelines of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council.

He also shared the results of Egypt’s work with various parties to achieve an immediate ceasefire. He highlighted the catastrophic and unprecedented humanitarian conditions in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2720 to allow the entry of aid into Gaza.

Minister Shoukry completely rejected claims circulating in some official and unofficial Israeli circles about the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt.

He stressed the importance of not treating the current war as if it began on 7 October but instead as part of a long series of Israeli violations against the rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The conflict will only be resolved by working to stop humanitarian suffering, halt violence, and repression, and resume the peace process based on the two-state solution, allowing for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state on the borders of 4 June 1967, he said.

Shoukry also expressed his appreciation for the continued support by the new Luxembourgish government for the Palestinian cause.

On his part, Minister Bettel reviewed the results of his recent visits to Tel Aviv, Ramallah, and Jerusalem, and his meetings with officials from the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.

He discussed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the prospects for a two-state solution affirming his country's commitment to the two-state solution as the only way to ensure permanent and just peace.

Minister Bettel expressed his country's readiness to provide all forms of support to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and support efforts to return to the negotiating table to reach a solution based on international legitimacy and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

He also praised Egypt's pivotal role in maintaining stability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. He highlighted the EU’s appreciation for Egypt’s efforts to contain the war and provide urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to alleviate their suffering.

Aside from the situation in Gaza, the two foreign ministers emphasized the need to enhance political consultation, mutual visits at different levels, and coordinate the positions of the two countries on regional issues.

Shoukry highlighted Egypt's commitment to boosting economic cooperation with Luxembourg, increasing trade exchange, and encouraging Luxembourgish companies to invest in the Egyptian market, especially in infrastructure, energy, and banking services.

European commissioner for crisis management
 

Shoukry and Janusz Lenarcic, the European commissioner for crisis management, discussed coordinating efforts to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

In this regard, Shoukry emphasized the importance of influential international parties, such as the EU, pushing a comprehensive ceasefire as the only path to contain the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Like in his meeting with Bettel, Shoukry stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2720 and reiterated Egypt’s rejection of the displacement of Palestinians.

For his part, the European commissioner acknowledged the crucial role played by the Egyptian Red Crescent in collaboration with international relief agencies in mitigating the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The two also discussed the escalation of the crisis across the region in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria, as well as threats to the security of the Red Sea.

Their discussion also touched on the situation in Sudan, with a focus on Egypt's efforts within the framework of the neighbouring countries' mechanism to enhance peace efforts and alleviate the humanitarian impact of the crisis.

European commissioner for home affairs and migration
 

Shoukry also met with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Ylva Johansson and discussed the repercussions on Egypt from the ongoing conflicts in the region, chief among them Gaza, Sudan, and Libya.

Egypt's top diplomat addressed the challenges and burdens faced by Egypt in hosting nine million refugees and migrants. He pointed out that they are entitled to similar essential services as Egyptian citizens.

He emphasized the importance of increasing European support to Egypt in the field of migration, reflecting the success of the Egyptian model in combating irregular migration.

This success has resulted in the halt of all irregular migration boats from Egypt to Europe since 2016.