Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said, on Thursday, that the country is coordinating with the European Union (EU) to halt foreign interference and mercenaries in Libya and ways to resolve the long-time crisis.
Shoukry’s remarks came during a joint press conference with High Representative of EU for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell during the latter visit to Cairo.
Shoukry stressed that Egypt adheres to the Cairo Declaration and the Berlin process to resolve the Libyan crisis, adding that only dialogue and political path are the only way to end the conflict.
Shoukry said that Sirte-Jufra redline that Egypt announced in June, has contributed to halting aggressive operationsand paved the way to activate Berlin Process and Cairo Declaration to reach a political path to end the crisis and meet aspirations of the Libyan people.
Meanwhile, Borrell agreed that the Sirte-Jufra redline and Cairo Declaration, as well as other Egyptian stances and efforts, contributed to maintaining a ceasefire in Libya.
Borrell added that the continued flow of arms into Libya will exacerbate the fighting and the crisis, adding that the EU is aware that UN arms embargo was violated.
In a similar context, Borrell said the EU aims to reduce tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean region through dialogue.
Borrell said that he discussed with Shoukry enhancing partnership between Egypt and the EU, adding that the EU is looking to enhance cooperation with Egypt in the fields including health, education, in particular facing the ramifications of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Borrell added that they discussed regional issues of common interest, in particular, the Israel-UAE normalisation deal signed in early August and the recent tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
They also discussed concerns over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Borrell said, adding that EU welcomed Cairo’s commitment to negotiations to resolve the dispute.
Earlier in June, Egypt President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi warned that attacking the Sirte and Jufra region is a “red line”, in an attempt to protect Egypt’s western borders and its national security.
