Egyptian, Spanish FMs urge solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict, regional issues
Ahram Online, Saturday 17 Oct 2020
Shoukry affirmed the solution to the conflict has to be based on the two-state solution, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the protection of Palestinian people’s legitimate rights


Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has discussed, with his Spanish counterpart Arancha González Laya, the need for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as they met in Cairo to discuss bilateral relations and other regional issues.

In a press conference held with Laya after the meeting, Shoukry affirmed that the solution to the longstanding conflict has to be based on the two-state solution, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the protection of Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.

Shoukry highlighted the need to hold direct negotiations between parties to the conflict, with the aim of achieving security and stability as well as removing tensions within the region.

The meeting also discussed the situation in Syria, Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to Shoukry the ministers have discussed the importance of consolidating efforts between Egypt and Spain as well as between Egypt and other European Union countries in order to achieve stability, away from the policies of expansionism, domination and the creation of a state of tension, which leads to further instability.

“We are allies in facing and countering terrorism and we continue to coordinate cooperation between each other,” the Egyptian minister added.

Spain’s Minister Laya, which is on her first visit to Egypt as foreign minister, said that she, as an archaeologist, considers Egypt a “paradise".

She also said that she discussed bilateral relations with Egypt, during a meeting with the Egyptian president this morning.

The ministers, during their meeting, also decided to cooperate in the field of economy, investment and trade.

Laya also spoke with Shoukry about joint work in the fields of counterterrorism and human trafficking. She also conveyed to the Egyptian foreign minister her appreciation to the efforts made by the Egyptian state and government in the fields of women empowerment, freedom of religion and environment protection.

The Spanish minister said she will honor Egyptian human rights activist and lawyer Nehad Aboul Qomsan, who is also the head of the Egyptian Centre for Women's Rights, tonight for the Egyptian activist spent her life defending human rights.

During the meeting, Laya also said that she discussed relations between the EU and Egypt.

As for the Libyan crisis, both countries support a political solution that ensures the unity and stability of the Libyan territories as well as political, economic and security development within the country. Laya highlighted the need for reaching a deal for the war-torn country under the umbrella of the United Nations.

They also discussed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Laya said Spain thinks these tensions can only be solved through negotiations, not unilateral actions, to achieve further stability in the region.

The meeting also reviewed developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and efforts to reach a deal among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the filling and the operating of the massive dam.

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