Turkey-Libya agreements hinder resolution of Libyan crisis efforts: Egypt’s FM
Ahram Online , Saturday 7 Dec 2019
The Egyptian foreign minister presented Egypt's vision on the situation in the Middle East at the Rome Forum for Mediterranean Dialogue


Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed the need for comprehensive efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, saying that the recent agreements signed between the Libyan prime minister and Turkey "will hinder efforts to settle the crisis and negatively affect the Berlin political process, especially since the signing of these deals violates the powers of the Libyan prime minister under the Skhirat Agreement."

Shoukry's statements came during a session at the Rome Forum for Mediterranean Dialogue held in Italy on Friday.

The forum dedicated a special session to Shoukry to review Egypt's vision of the situation in the Middle East. The session was moderated by Amy Kellogg, senior correspondent for Fox News and Mark Perlman of France24.

Shoukry stressed Egypt’s desire to ensure the unity of Libya's territories, preserve its national state institutions, combat terrorism and halt foreign interference in Libya’s affairs.

He said Egypt plays an important role in enhancing security and stability in the region and settling armed conflicts and confronts the sources of regional threat.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said that Minister Shoukry addressed the mounting challenges facing the Mediterranean region and the means to deal with their repercussions, noting that terrorism is one of the main threats to peace, stability and development efforts, and that it requires collective measures to combat it.

Shoukry stressed the necessity of confronting anyone who provides terrorist organisations with support and safe havens, noting that the confrontation should not be limited to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda organisations, but should target all the groups that adopt extremist ideology and take religion as a cover to achieve their political aims, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Boko Haram and Al-Shabab organisations.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of reaching comprehensive political settlements for the crises in the region as a prerequisite for any serious endeavour towards peace and stability, noting in this regard the Palestinian issue and the importance of reaching a just and final solution that guarantees the establishment of a Palestinian state as a basic pillar to achieve the stability of the whole region.

Shoukry also discussed Egypt's foreign policy and its keenness to establish good and balanced relations with its international partners, especially in the strategic partnership with the United States and the growing cooperation with the European Union, Russia and China.

The Foreign Ministry statement concluded by noting that Shoukry reviewed the importance of the relationship between development and stability.

Developing a constructive vision towards regional integration in light of the huge potential and opportunities for cooperation across the Mediterranean region was one note Shoukry stressed, highlighting in this regard the initiative to establish the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum as a model for constructive cooperation among Mediterranean countries to serve the objectives of sustainable development.

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