Egypt’s FM travels to Spain for talks on Gaza ceasefire, two-state solution

CAIRO – 2 June 2024: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has embarked on a visit to Spain to hold discussions with top officials regarding the Palestinian cause, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza and the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Shoukry will explore how Spain can support efforts to halt the war in Gaza, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

Additionally, he will discuss potential avenues for Spain to contribute to the resumption of the political settlement process based on the two-state solution for the Palestinian cause.

The ministry emphasized Spain's longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, including its recent significant step of recognizing the State of Palestine.

Shoukry is scheduled to hold meetings with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares.

Last week, Spain, Ireland, and Norway joined around 140 countries in recognizing a Palestinian state amidst the ongoing war in Gaza.

This move prompted Israel to recall its ambassadors from the three European countries and issue reprimands to their envoys in Tel Aviv.

The three nations recognized Palestine based on pre-1967 war borders, with hopes that other European countries may follow suit and that the war in Gaza comes to an end soon.

“The government of Spain will approve the official recognition of Palestine as a state,” Prime Minister Sánchez stated in a speech in Madrid on Tuesday.

“This is a historic decision that has a single goal: to contribute to achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians," he said.

Sanchez emphasized the need for a viable State of Palestine with the West Bank and Gaza connected by a corridor and East Jerusalem as its capital, under the legitimate government of the Palestine National Authority.

Sánchez reiterated that this step is not intended to be against any party, while expressing Spain's rejection of Hamas and condemning the attacks carried out by the Islamic movement on October 7.