FM Shoukry: Egypt take constructive criticism seriously, refrain from interfering in other counties affairs

CAIRO – 11 January 2020: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Egypt welcomes any efforts aims to reach a just solution to the Palestinian issue.

During a joint press conference with his Jordanian, French and German counterparts, Monday, Shoukry said that Egypt is aware of the responsibility entrusted to the international quartet to resume negotiations, adding: "Egypt also understands the role of the United States to find a solution to the Palestinian issue."

Shoukry added that Egypt’s president Abdel Fatal al Sisi met earlier with the his Jordanian, French and German Foreign Ministers.

He noted that Sisi was keen to meet the ministers and point out the importance of reaching a permanent and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.

Human rights in Egypt

Answering questions related to the criticism Egypt faces in the Human rights file, Shoukry explained that any accusation pressed against any person comes in accordance with the Egyptian law and under the supervision of the judiciary, and with full transparency.

“We do not imprison journalists for expressing their opinion” Shoukry said, advising foreign reporters to talk with Egyptian journalists and citizens in the streets to get a real full picture away from any ‘politicalized criticism’.

He affirmed that Egypt is taking many political taking steps to refresh the political and social life which will reflect on the country’s whole performance in this file. He said that the government take all constructive criticism seriously and refrain from interfering in other counties affairs.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated, Monday in quadripartite meeting with his Jordanian, French and German counterparts to stimulate peace efforts in the region, and especially the Palestinian issue.

According to the Foreign Ministry’s spokes person Ahmed Hafez the meeting aimed to stimulate peace efforts in the region and resolve the current stalemate in the Palestinian issue by urging the Palestinian and Israeli sides to negotiate and reach a just and comprehensive political settlement based on the two-state solution.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also held talks, with visiting Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Sunday.

The two top diplomats' talks tackled means of boosting relations as well as the developments in regional and international issues, Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

During the meeting, Shoukry briefed his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi on the outcome of recent contacts made by Egypt with all parties concerned with the Palestinian cause.

Shoukry received Safadi in the presence of Jordan's new ambassador to Egypt Amgad Al Aadialah, who presented his credentials to the foreign minister.

The quartet ministerial meeting in Cairo, Monday comes within the framework of the Munich Group, which includes the foreign ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Germany, France and the European Union.