CAIRO - 2 March 2024: Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, stated that Sameh Shoukry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a bilateral meeting , Saturday, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, prior to the commencement of the joint higher committee meetings between Egypt and Qatar, chaired by the two countries' foreign ministers.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson clarified that during the meeting, the two ministers discussed areas of bilateral cooperation between the two fraternal countries. Minister Shoukry affirmed Egypt's pride in the strength of the fraternal relations with Qatar, and the exceptional levels reached by the frameworks of bilateral cooperation, within the framework of the keenness of the leaderships of the two countries to develop and nurture them in a manner that meets the aspirations of the two fraternal peoples.
He expressed the hope that the joint committee's work would yield the desired practical results to elevate the overall level of bilateral relations.
On his part, the Qatari Foreign Minister expressed his country's appreciation for the strong and extended ties between the two fraternal countries and the qualitative leap witnessed by the relations in various fields, as well as the high-level visits between the two sides. He expressed Qatar's keenness to intensify consultations and coordination to enhance the multi-faceted bilateral relations and expand their horizons, as well as regarding various regional and international issues of priority.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson revealed that the discussions touched on ways to enhance mechanisms for political consultation between the two sides, as well as mechanisms for consular consultations and ways to care for the Egyptian community in Qatar.
Additionally, they discussed ways to advance cooperation in the fields of trade and investment.
Minister Shoukry reviewed during the meeting the investment opportunities provided by the Egyptian market, praising the Qatari side's eagerness to hold the Qatari Investment Forum in Cairo last November and the importance of building on its outcomes in the coming period. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing opportunities for both countries to participate in tripartite and quadripartite cooperation projects in priority areas, with Africa at the forefront.
On the regional level, Ambassador Abu Zeid stated that the Israeli war against Gaza and the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian brothers took up the majority of the discussions between the two ministers regarding regional issues.
They reviewed the joint efforts of both countries towards settling the crisis in Gaza, reaffirming the necessity of a ceasefire in the sector, implementing calm, exchanging detainees and prisoners at the earliest opportunity, as well as the importance of enabling UNRWA to continue its indispensable tasks according to its international mandate. They also emphasized the firm rejection of attempts to displace Palestinians beyond their territories.
Moreover, Minister Shoukry reiterated the warning against the consequences of any Israeli military operation on the ground in Rafah, affirming both ministers' outright rejection of such action and the catastrophic humanitarian repercussions it would have on the Palestinians in Rafah and those displaced from the middle and northern areas of the sector under Israeli bombardment and targeting.
The meeting also addressed the escalating tensions in the region against the backdrop of the crisis in Gaza, including those on the Lebanese arena and threats to maritime security in the Red Sea. The two ministers agreed on the necessity of intensifying joint efforts and international moves to contain and prevent the expansion of violence to other parts of the region. The discussions between the two ministers also covered the situations in Libya, Syria, Sudan, and the developments related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
In conclusion, the two ministers agreed to continue to intensify coordination and joint work to deepen the path of bilateral relations in various fields, as well as concerning regional and international issues of mutual concern, for the benefit and support of the two fraternal peoples, and to promote the foundations of peace and stability for the peoples of the region.
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