Earlier on Monday, Qatari Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani held talks in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart FM Sameh Shoukry.

According to the joint statement, both officials praised the work of the follow-up committee that was formed after the 2021 Al-Ula Declaration to search for consensus on a host of issues.

They also said that they appreciate the level their bilateral relations have reached and how relations have returned to their normal status, the statement said. 

In a press conference held in Cairo following their talks, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that Egyptian-Qatari relations are in constant development and that his government supports upgrading them.

“We see that the horizon of the relations between Qatar and Egypt is wide in boosting economic partnership and communication between the two countries on all levels,” the Qatari FM said, adding that the past period that was marred by tensions is over.

In January 2021, Egypt, along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, signed the Al-Ula Declaration with Qatar, restoring diplomatic, economic, and travel ties with Doha after a boycott imposed by the Arab quartet since mid-2017.

In the wake of the Al-Ula declaration, Egypt and Qatar agreed to move beyond their disputes and work towards settling all outstanding issues.

Shoukry stressed at the presser that Egypt looks forward to continuing the friendly relations and cooperation with Qatar, adding that their discussions addressed activating bilateral relations and exploring chances of cooperation in various fields.

"The impurities that plagued the relations were removed through consensus on the statement of Al-Ula, the subsequent honest and sincere activation of the follow-up committee, and the positive results it reached," Shoukry said.

“Egypt seeks to have an understanding and cooperation based on mutual respect and the respect of non-interference in countries’ affairs,” he stressed.

For his part, Al-Thani stressed that Egypt has a pivotal role in consolidating security and stability in the region.

Regional issues

The Egyptian FM added that Egypt’s stance regarding support for the current Libyan political course is consistent, adding that Egypt supports Libya and non-intervention in its affairs.

The Qatari FM also said that Doha supports a smooth political course in Libya.

Meanwhile, Shoukry said that the participation of Egypt in the Negev summit in Israel over the weekend - along with Israel, the UAE, the US, Bahrain and Morocco - aimed to push the Middle East peace process forward and support the just rights of the Palestinians.