According to the Egyptian Presidency, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi hosted separate meetings at the Presidential Palace with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, who are currently on a day visit to Cairo, before bringing both sides together for a trilateral session that culminated in the agreement.
During the meetings, the Egyptian president underscored the importance of the deal in easing regional tensions and preventing further escalation.
Meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister
According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi's meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dealt with developments in relations between Egypt and Iran.
The Iranian top diplomat conveyed to the Egyptian president the greetings of his Iranian counterpart, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and his aspiration to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
For his part, El-Sisi stressed the importance of continuing to explore prospects for joint cooperation in a way that serves mutual interests and enhances regional stability.
The Egyptian presidency added that the meeting touched on the latest developments regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
El-Sisi pointed to the importance of today’s agreement in Cairo between Iran and the IAEA to resume cooperation between them.
He affirmed Egypt’s support for efforts to de-escalate and its readiness to play an active role in creating an environment for constructive dialogue between the concerned parties, including between Iran and the IAEA, in support of regional stability and to spare the region from sliding into more violence.
For his part, the Iranian minister expressed his country’s full appreciation of the Egyptian president's efforts to reach the agreement.
He said the deal will herald a new stage in the region, lead to avoiding escalation, and pave the way for the resumption of negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program.
Meeting with the Director-General of the IAEA
In a separate meeting, President El-Sisi and the Director-General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, addressed ways to enhance existing cooperation between Egypt and the agency.
The Egyptian president expressed Cairo’s appreciation for the vital role played by the IAEA in supporting the nuclear non-proliferation system, while at the same time affirming the right of states parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
For his part, Mr. Grossi expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt’s role in supporting the agency’s activities.
He added that the reason for the success of the negotiations between the IAEA and Iran and the conclusion of the agreement between the two sides was made possible through Egyptian efforts, given Cairo's regional weight, status and strategic position.
El-Sisi renewed during the meeting Egypt’s firm position in supporting efforts for nuclear disarmament and strengthening the non-proliferation regime, out of its keenness to consolidate international peace and security and achieve the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.
It was also stressed the importance of continuing work to establish a zone free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, and to strengthen the universality of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons, in a way that preserves the peoples’ resources from the effects of these destructive weapons, he added.
A trilateral meeting
Following these two separate meetings, President El-Sisi held a trilateral meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Director-General of the IAEA.
El-Sisi praised the agreement to resume cooperation between Tehran and the IAEA as a positive step towards de-escalation in the region.
He noted that the agreement should convince the concerned parties to refrain from any escalatory steps and open the way for diplomacy and dialogue, paving the way for a return to the negotiating table and reaching a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear program.
For their part, the two guests reiterated their great appreciation for the Egyptian president’s sponsorship of the agreement signing in Cairo between Iran and the IAEA.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty attended the meetings.
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