Egypt seeks balanced foreign relations, political solutions to regional crises: FM

CAIRO – 11 February 2021: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt seeks balanced relations with other countries that are based on achieving cooperation and putting an end to the crises in the region through political solutions not military ones.

Shoukry’s remarks came as he delivered a speech in the Philia Forum between the foreign ministers of Greece, Cyprus, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in Athens on Thursday.

“The expansion of the presence of foreign troops in Arab lands this way indicates a regress in the international relations system and failure to respect the principles stipulated in the Charter of the United Nations,” Shoukry said.

Shoukry called on those in charge of the matter, especially the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to carry out their responsibilities to work on reaching peaceful solutions to all ongoing crises.

Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s keenness to enhance relations at the tripartite level with Greece and Cyprus, to achieve the interests of the peoples of the three countries.

“Also, there are many political and economic challenges as well as health challenges that are clearly reflected in the coronavirus pandemic. Cooperation among each other … increases our capabilities manifold in the face of these [challenges],” Shoukry added.