(Photo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Handout)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated Wednesday in the first Arab consultative meeting in Beirut. Representatives of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, met with EU partners to review the European Neighbourhood Policy.
Shoukry declared the importance of reaching consensus through a “unified Arab statement” that reflects the Arab stance regarding the ENP. He stressed that cooperation should be based on shared interests, and should respect state sovereignty and non-interference in the affairs of southern-Mediterranean countries.
The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was developed in 2004 with the objective of strengthening ties and means of cooperation between the EU and its neighbours. The ENP framework is proposed to 16 of EU’s closest neighbours, including the states participating in the abovementioned meeting.
The foreign ministry spokesperson added that Shoukry is expected to meet with Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, following the Arab consultative meeting.
As of May, Hahn is in charge of overseeing the accession process of prospective new member states and relations with those bordering the European Union (EU).
Shoukry will also join the Arab ministers and EU officials in two other meetings with Head of Lebanese parliament Nabeeh Bary and Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
