FM conveys King’s message to Egypt president

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Tuesday conveyed a message from His Majesty King Abdullah to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The King’s letter focused on means to bolster cooperation between the two countries, enhance coordination and consultation over regional issues amid the exceptional circumstances in the region and the world, and improve joint Arab action for the best interest of the region, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The letter voiced keenness to take relations between the Kingdom and Egypt “to a wider horizon of tangible cooperation”, in line with the mechanism of trilateral cooperation with Iraq.

Sisi conveyed his greeting to His Majesty, expressing aspiration to continue the coordination between the two countries at various levels, considering the growing challenges facing the region.

During the meeting held in Cairo, Sisi stressed that joint coordination and the unity of Arab stances would outline the framework of Arab national security.

Talks during the meeting, attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, went over the latest regional developments, notably the Palestinian cause and peace process in the Middle East.

Discussions highlighted the importance of scaling up international efforts towards a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, as well as resuming negotiations.

Regarding developments related to Libya, Safadi stressed the Kingdom’s support to Egypt’s efforts towards reaching a solution to the Libyan crisis, one that ensures Libya’s unity and security, as well as the security of Libya’s neighbouring countries. 

Safadi and Shoukri also conducted bilateral talks, ahead of the trilateral meeting that included their Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein.

The ministers discussed means to implement the resolutions and outcomes of the Jordanian-Egyptian-Iraqi trilateral summit held in Amman last August, in which the leaders of the three countries stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation and adopting the best ways to translate strategic relations on the ground.

The three ministers emphasised the importance of continuing the ministerial and technical meetings based on the outcomes of the trilateral summit, which focused on health, medical, energy and inter-trade sectors, as well as investment promotion and economic cooperation.

The three ministers, during a press conference following the meeting, pointed out that a number of projects, agreements and understandings have been developed and will be discussed by the related ministers in the fields of energy, infrastructure, reconstruction, food and pharmaceutical security, among other vital sectors.

They also stressed that the trilateral mechanism of action is aimed at enhancing integration and building on common stances to set a model of joint Arab action and to serve as a starting point for broader cooperation that reflects positively on the three countries and the region in general.

Safadi, in his remarks, said that His Majesty’s letter focused on the mechanism for trilateral cooperation between the Kingdom, Egypt and Iraq towards achieving further concrete collaboration in various sectors.

On regional issues, Safadi highlighted the common vision, stressing that the foremost central issue is the Palestinian cause, highlighting that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a threat to regional security.

Voicing support to Egypt’s water security, Safadi stressed that water security is “part of Arab security”. He emphasised that Egypt’s position on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is “rational” as it seeks an agreement that preserves the right of all parties based on international law.  

The foreign minister stressed that Iraq’s security and stability is an “integral part” of regional security and stability, Safadi said: “We reiterate that we must protect Iraq from the repercussions of any regional differences in order to protect the region from the consequences of any threat to Iraq.”

Safadi also met Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit over regional developments and mechanisms related to activating joint Arab action amid these hard circumstances, which require further cooperation and coordination, according to the statement.