Arab League’s chief, EU’s foreign policy head say Israeli annexation plan should not be fulfilled

CAIRO – 4 September 2020: Secretary General of the Arab League and the European Union’s foreign policy chief both think the Israeli annexation plan should not be fulfilled, due to international objection, a statement by the League read.

EU’s Josep Borrell met with AL’s Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Thursday during the former’s visit to Cairo.

They agreed that the plans of the current US administration on the Palestinian cause cannot lead to a just, permanent and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the statement added.

They also highlighted the importance of joint Arab-European work to consolidate existing international consensus on the determinants of a peaceful settlement within the framework of the two-state solution.

They also voiced adherence to the decisions of the international legitimacy and the two-state solution principle as a basis to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, so as an independent Palestinian state can be established, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In a Twitter post, Borrell Covered said he and Aboul Gheit covered wide range of topics in a “good” meeting, calling the Arab League a key regional partner for EU.

“We explored avenues to deepen our cooperation.”

Borrell’s visit to Egypt also included meetings with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki.

In a separate meeting with Sisi, Borrell hailed the continuous Egyptian efforts to deal with tensions between the Palestinian and Israeli sides regarding Gaza Strip, the Egyptian Presidency said.

Sisi and Borrell also discussed the peace process in the Middle East and agreed on the need to push forward joint international work toward resuming negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, with the aim of reaching a fair and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian issue, in accordance with international references.

Borrell highlighted the importance the EU attaches to Egypt’s pivotal role aiming to achieve balance in the Libyan issue. He also lauded Egyptian efforts to tackle regional challenges that affect the security and stability of the countries of the Mediterranean, including hosting millions of refugees, combating illegal immigration, terrorism and extremism and bringing peace to the Middle East.

The meeting was attended also by Shoukry and EU Ambassador to Egypt Christian Berger.

Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unchangeable stance on supporting a political solution in Libya, away from foreign intervention and armed militias.

Sisi affirmed that Egypt welcomes all constructive and positive steps that would lead to peaceful settlement, de-escalation and development in Libya. He also stressed Egypt’s support to international efforts in this regard, including backing all international envoys to Libya, relevant international conferences such as the Berlin Conference earlier this year and the Cairo Declaration calling for ceasefire and dismissing foreign fighters from Libya.

Concerning the dispute on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Sisi affirmed Egypt’s adherence to its water rights, through reaching an international, binding and balanced agreement that states clear rules for the process of filling and operating the massive dam and achieves mutual interests of all parties.

The president affirmed paramount importance of the water issue for Egypt, as it mainly touches the Egyptian national security.