Egypt’s FM meets with US Senators in Cairo

CAIRO – 4 January 2024: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will meet on Thursday with U.S. Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen and Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley, the members of the US Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

On January 3, the Egyptian minister received an 8-member delegation from the US Senate and House of Representatives, headed by Senator Joni Ernst, who is visiting Egypt as part of a regional tour.

The meeting tackled several regional issues, most notably the situation in the Gaza Strip, said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid in a statement.

Shoukry affirmed that humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the strip should be available in quantities that meet the needs of Palestinian citizens, expressing his aspiration for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 2720, which will contribute to urgent and sustainable access to aid to the besieged enclave.

The foreign minister also stressed Egypt's complete rejection of all forms of displacement of Palestinians, or the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, explaining that these ideas cannot achieve stability in the region.

Shoukry added that reaching an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and putting an end to the violence of Israeli settlers are inevitable priorities.

On the dangers of expanding the conflict in the region, especially with the increasing severity and intensity of skirmishes on the Lebanese scene and in Iraq and Syria, the Egyptian side stressed that security of maritime navigation in the Red Sea is necessary for the smooth and secure movement of global trade.

Members of the US delegation praised the bilateral relations and strategic partnership between the two countries, highlighting their keenness to consult and cooperate with Egypt regarding international and regional issues.

They also expressed their full appreciation for Egypt's efforts to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and its role in securing the departure of foreign nationals, as well as facilitating prisoner release deals. 

The minister of foreign affairs was keen to answer the American delegation’s inquiries regarding Egypt’s vision for a future solution to the Palestinian issue, the country's position towards dealing with the calls of displacing Palestinians outside their lands, and the available alternatives to defuse the current crisis in the Middle East, Abu Zeid concluded.