Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry discussed on Tuesday bilateral relations and regional and international issues with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid.
On the side-lines of the 150 meeting of the Arab League council for foreign ministers in Cairo, the two sides addressed updates of the political and security situation in the Middle East and challenges that increases regional escalation. Crises in Syria and Yemen, and countering terrorism topped the discussions between the two ministers.
During the meeting Shoukry praised the level of cooperation between Cairo and Baghdad. He also expressed Egypt’s trust in the Iraqi national institutions and political parties to pass the current political crisis.
Shoukry stressed Egypt’s keenness on supporting the Iraqi efforts for reconstructing the country, as well as coordination for ensuring Egypt’s participation in these efforts.
For his part, Al-Jaafari expressed his country’s keenness on boosting economic and commercial ties between the two countries. He also expressed appreciation for the Egyptian role in reconstructing Iraq.
Few months after announcing victory on the Islamic State group, Iraq has faced a new political crisis after the last parliamentary election last month. Thousands of protestors demonstrated in Basra south of Iraq over political corruption and the deterioration of public services, and the Irani interventions in the Iraqi internal affairs.
