CAIRO – 6 August 2020: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed mutual relations between Egyptian and the United States as well as means to boost them with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a phone call on Thursday.

The call came within continuous efforts to communicate and coordinate the good relations binding both countries, aiming at achieving regional stability and security.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez has said the two officials further discussed developments in the Middle East, and exchanged visions regarding the proposed solutions to the crises facing the region.

Mr. Shoukry presented Egypt's steadfast stance towards the Libyan crisis, and the efforts made to support achieving a peaceful settlement through the "Cairo Declaration", which is part of the "Berlin Conference" outputs.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister also reviewed the latest developments related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) file, as well as Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution and consensus among all parties.

The call also included the Palestinian cause and the consultations that Mr. Shoukry held with Palestinian leaders during his recent visit to Ramallah.

Supporting Palestine

Mr. Shoukry ended a two-day visit to Jordan and Palestine with a visit to the Palestinian presidential headquarters in Ramallah on June 20.

The visit followed a phone call between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Mahmoud Abbas.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank July 20, 2020. (REUTERS)

The visit aimed to stress Cairo’s support for the reclamation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people amid Israel’s plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.

Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman Hafez has said Shoukry’s visit to Ramallah comes in support of the Palestinian people amid Israeli intentions to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Cairo Declaration

Many countries have welcomed the Cairo Declaration on Libya, a joint political initiative announced by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to resolve the Libyan crisis and end the armed conflict in the Arab country.

Egyptian President Sisi speaks during a press conference with LNA commander Haftar (R) and parliament Speaker Saleh in Cairo. (Egyptian presidency)

 

The initiative mandates intra-Libyan resolution as a basis for resolving the conflict in Libya, taken the outcomes of conference in Paris, Rome, Abu Dhabi, and most recently in Berlin.

The United States has welcomed the Egyptian initiative, which aims to achieve a ceasefire and help launch the political process.

The US Embassy in Libya said on its Twitter page that the United States is watching with interest as political voices in eastern Libya find expression.

"We welcome efforts by #Egypt and others to support a return to the UN-led political negotiations and the declaration of a ceasefire,” the Embassy tweeted. “We call on all sides to participate in good faith to halt the fighting and return to the UN-led political negotiations.”

Russia also welcomed the Egyptian initiative, describing it as “important” to end the crisis in Libya.

"Egypt presented today an important initiative to end the crisis in Libya. We welcome all efforts aimed at settling the conflict and restoring peace in all Libyan lands,” the Russian embassy in Cairo said.

President Sisi has warned against foriegn schemes pursuing military actions in the war-torn country.

The Egyptian President stressed the danger of the current situation in Libya, especially that the crisis is not only affecting Libya, but spreading to neighboring countries as well, thus destabilizing the whole region.