Egyptian Foreign Minister meets UN Envoy to Syria

CAIRO - 28 March 2017: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met Monday with United Nations Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura on the sidelines of preparatory meetings for the Arab Summit in Jordan, according to official statements.

They discussed recent developments in Syria and efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry stressed Egypt's keenness on making the mission of the U.N. envoy a success.

Zeid highlighted Egyptians’ unwavering position since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, which supports maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and ending the suffering of Syrians.

During the meeting they stressed the need for regional and international efforts to urge all parties to find practical and acceptable solution for the situation in Syria.

De Mistura expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support to him regarding the Syrian crisis.

He also discussed with Shoukry the outcome of his interaction with international and regional stakeholders, and his assessment of the Astana talks and the current round of Geneva peace talks.

The envoy asked Russia, Turkey and Iran on Saturday to “salvage the tattered ceasefire in Syria,” according to Reuters.

De Mistura contacted the foreign ministers of the three countries and urged them to "undertake urgent efforts to uphold the ceasefire regime" that came into effect on Dec. 30.