FM urges Syrian political process in meeting with U.S. envoy

CAIRO - 11 June 2019: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry met on Tuesday with United States Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIL James Jeffrey in Cairo.

Shokry and Jeffrey examined the latest developments on the Syrian scene and the updates of counterterrorism efforts, as stated by the ministry’s spokesperson Ahmed Hafez.

The minister reiterated Egypt’s stance on the crises necessitating the preservation of the Syrian state’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Shokry affirmed that Egyptian endeavors aimed at bringing all Syrian parties together to push forward the political process will persist. The ministry also underlined that the political process must go in parallel with efforts deployed to combat terrorist and extremist organizations.

Both officials exchanged views on possible mechanisms that may accelerate the political process and overcome the current inertia in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution no. 2254 adopted in 2015.

The Egyptian minister stressed the importance of coordinating international and regional efforts to not allow the infiltration of defeated militants to other countries in the region and to block political and logistic support to terrorist groups.

Jeffrey presented the U.S. vision on the recent developments in Syria. The U.S. envoy expressed his country’s appreciation and support to the role played by Egypt to end the Syrian crisis, and to combat terrorism and extremism.