Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry commenced a tour of Jordan and Palestine, on Monday, to discuss the latest developments in the Palestinian issue.
King Abdullah II of Jordan received the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his visit to the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Ahmed Hafez, Spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “The meeting [between King Abdullah and Shoukry] dealt with the developments in the Palestinian issue.”
Shoukry expressed Egypt’s full appreciation for Jordan’s role in protecting Islamic and Christian areas of worship in Jerusalem, and noted that his country would continue to coordinate and consult with Jordan on the Palestinian issue.
The minister indicated that the current priority is to stabilise the calm between the Palestinians and Israelis, and commence with reconstruction in light of the ceasefire announced by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.
This comes without neglecting the essence of the Palestinian cause, through the need to work on the availability of the necessary political will and creating a favourable atmosphere for reviving the peace process.
Shoukry noted that various international efforts are being resorted to, to move the current stalemate. These aim to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, in accordance with the relevant international legitimacy decisions.
King Abdullah praised the efforts made by Egypt to reach a ceasefire between the two sides. He also emphasised the identical views between Egypt and Jordan regarding the Palestinian issue, and the need to intensify efforts aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
During a press conference, on Monday, with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Amman, Shoukry stressed that Jerusalem remains a central issue, and that there is no alternative to East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.
He said that this issue is being dealt with within the framework of the settlement and the final solution.
He added that there is a political will from the current US administration to reach a solution on the Palestinian issue.
Egypt wants to establish mechanisms with international partners in an effort to solve the Palestinian issue.
Shoukry highlighted the importance of the two-state solution in accordance with resolutions relating to international legitimacy. He pointed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the fulfilment of the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their state and achieve their demands.
For his part, Safadi said that there is neither a solution nor comprehensive peace unless a two-state solution is reached, and the occupation is ended.
Safadi added, “The Palestinian issue is the basis of the conflict in the region, and its solution is the key to solving the region’s crises.”
He said that the issue regarding the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in Jerusalem is the displacement of Palestinians from their homes, and that this displacement represents a war crime.
At the end of his visit to Jordan, Shoukry headed to Ramallah, where he was received by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Shoukry clarified that the visit comes as part of Egypt’s continued support for Palestine, as well as its continued efforts to install a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. As part of this, Egypt aims to build on these efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable calm.
This comes along with the continued efforts to re-engage in the peace process as the only way to reach a two-state solution, and achieve the desired peace and stability.
Shoukry and Abbas discussed efforts related to reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, and the provision of development support to the rest of the Palestinian territories.
In this regard, Shoukry reiterated Egypt’s firm position in supporting the Palestinian cause, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
He also highlighted the importance of working during the coming period to move forward to revive a serious and constructive negotiation path.
He stressed that the desired goal is to achieve a comprehensive and just peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This would take place according to the relevant international references.
For his part, Abbas expressed his appreciation for President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s announcement that Egypt will allocate $500m for the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip. This includes the provision of support for the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Palestinian President also praised Egypt’s intensive efforts and actions during the recent period, which culminated in the successful resolution of the crisis, and the implementation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Abbas indicated that these stances reflect Egypt’s standing on the Arab, regional, and international levels, as well as its continuous historical role in support of the Palestinian cause and defender of Arab rights.
