Cairo, Egypt – Badr Abdel-Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, met with Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of their participation in a quadrilateral ministerial meeting in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, as well as the latest regional developments. They also addressed efforts to de-escalate tensions and achieve calm.
Strengthening bilateral relations
The meeting addressed ways to enhance cooperation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia across various fields. Both ministers expressed their appreciation for the strong and strategic relations between the two countries. Furthermore, they affirmed their commitment to developing these ties further to serve the interests of both nations. This would also strengthen their existing partnership.
Supporting diplomatic solutions
The two ministers discussed ongoing efforts to support direct negotiations between the United States and Iran. They stressed the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions to avoid escalating crises in the region. In addition, Egypt also affirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. It condemned any attacks targeting their security and stability, and rejected any attempts to undermine Arab national security.
Palestine and regional developments
The meeting addressed developments in the Palestinian issue. Emphasis was placed on the need to halt Israeli violations in the West Bank. The importance of working towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders was also stressed. They argued that this would guarantee stability in the region. The two sides also discussed the situation in Lebanon. In light of current challenges, they emphasized the importance of supporting Lebanese state institutions and preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
