Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Tuesday that parliament has the right to reject the transfer of sovereignty of the Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia.
In an open discussion with youth groups at the Ministry of Youth, Shoukry stressed that the agreement would be “as if it never happened” should parliament veto it.
Shoukry further underlined the fact that Egypt shapes it maritime and land borders with the sole intention of securing stability and maintaining sovereignty over its borders.
The transfer of authority of the islands caught many Egyptians by surprise, sparking multiple protests, as many viewed the agreement as a breach of Egyptian sovereignty. The agreement is being legally contested on the grounds that Egypt has sovereignty over the islands. A verdict is expected on 21 June.
In addition to comments on sovereignty, the foreign minister discussed many issues during the meeting on Tuesday, such as the role of the youth, the terror threat facing Egypt and the country’s relations with other nations.
During the talk, Shoukry told the youth that he considers them Egypt’s future, adding that the state places high hopes on its youth.
With regards to the terror threat in Egypt, the minister said terrorism is an issue facing the entire world, not just Egypt. He also emphasised the importance of promoting a tolerant, peaceful version of Islam to confront the terror threat, as opposed to solely relying on warfare.
Speaking of Egypt’s relations with Europe, Shoukry stated that Egypt is developing close economic ties with its European counterparts, in addition to maintaining political relations.
The minister also spoke of Egypt’s ongoing strategic relations with the United States, explaining that although disagreements with the US administration can sometimes occur, cooperation between the two nations will continue.
