A combined images of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Shoukry asserted in the telephone call he received from Blinken earlier Thursday that Egypt has made all the necessary arrangements to ensure effective participation in the conference of official delegations, private sector representatives, NGOs and civil society representatives and all parties concerned with climate change issues.
Anthony Blinken, for his part, stated that the US was keen to participate in the conference and to work with Egypt to ensure the conference succeeds and achieves its goals in facing the challenges of climate change.
The two top diplomats also discussed the latest developments in Libya. The US secretary of state expressed the United State's appreciation of Egyptian efforts to support the constitutional path in Libya. He also expressed appreciation for Egypt's joint chairmanship, alongside the US and the European Union, of the Economic Working Group which resulted from the Berlin conference, according to the statement.
Blinken added that he hoped Egypt would continue to play that important role.
The statement also said that Shoukry and Blinken discussed human rights in Egypt. The Egyptian foreign minister reviewed Egypt's most recent efforts within the framework of the National Strategy for Human rights. He also made references to the most recent decisions of the National Pardon Committee and to the National Dialogue.
The two officials also discussed the latest developments in Palestine as well as the Israeli elections. Minister Shoukry stressed the importance of avoiding any escalation of the situation and any provocations of the Palestinian people. He also underscored the importance of focusing all efforts to revive the peace process after the formation of the new Israeli government, according to the statement.
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