CAIRO – 4 February 2024: France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné has expressed his keenness to coordinate efforts with Egypt toward reaching a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the swap of detainees.
Séjourné made the comments during his meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Egypt in the presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
Sisi briefed Séjourné on Egypt’s intensified efforts with various partners to achieve ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid in order to end the humanitarian tragedy suffered by the people in the strip.
They also stressed the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibility in implementing relevant international resolutions.
Séjourné highlighted shared positions of France and Egypt regarding the necessity to prevent the expansion of the conflict in Gaza.
He also stressed the need to implement the two-state solution as the basis for reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian cause and restoring security and stability in the Middle East.
Moreover, the two sides reiterated their unequivocal rejection of any measures or policies that aim to displace the Palestinians from their lands.
They also underscored the pivotal and irreplaceable role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in providing aid and relief to the people of Gaza.
They highlighted the significant of the role of the UNRWA especially amid the grievous humanitarian catastrophe that the Palestinian people in Gaza are experiencing, which necessitates the support of all intentional relief mechanisms.
Séjourné conveyed France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s greetings to President Sisi. During the talks, the two sides confirmed the importance of continuing extensive coordination and cooperation between their countries.
Egypt is currently engaged in intensified global efforts to secure the release of captives held in Gaza and negotiate an extended ceasefire amidst ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7.
Hamas is currently studying a ceasefire proposal generated by negotiators from Egypt, the United States, Israel and Qatar, which may result in the freeing of more than 100 captives in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
If approved, the proposal may also lead to a prolonged ceasefire in the war-ravaged strip.
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