Egypt’s Shoukry, EU Commission’s Timmermans Hold Talks in Preparation for COP27 Summit

Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Vice-President of the European Union Commission (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)
Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Vice-President of the European Union Commission (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt’s Shoukry, EU Commission’s Timmermans Hold Talks in Preparation for COP27 Summit

Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Vice-President of the European Union Commission (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)
Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Vice-President of the European Union Commission (Egypt’s Foreign Ministry)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the European Green Deal and Climate Change Negotiations, Frans Timmermans, in Cairo on Sunday.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Cairo is keen to consult with all parties concerned with international climate action.

The meeting came in light of Cairo’s preparations for the COP27 Climate Summit, which will be held in Sharm el-Sheikh Red Sea Resort in late 2022.

Timmermans is scheduled to meet during his two-day visit to Egypt with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohammed Shaker, Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad Abdelaziz, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek al-Mulla and Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala al-Saeed.

The EU climate policy chief will bring up the Mediterranean Green Hydrogen Partnership to enhance communication on topics of mutual interest, such as the transition to clean energy, energy efficiency, green growth models, energy diversification, sustainable finance, carbon markets and adaptation.

Madbouly, for his part, held a meeting on Sunday to follow up on the efforts to address problems facing tourist investors in Sharm el-Sheikh and ensure they complete the implementation of their projects in the hotel sector.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Khaled al-Anany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Assem al-Gazzar, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Major General Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, Seraj al-Din Saad, Assistant Minister of Housing for the General Authority for Tourism Development, and officials from various relevant authorities.



Pro-Iranian Militias Enter Syria from Iraq to Aid Beleaguered Syrian Army

Anti-government fighters take over the airport of the northern Syrian town of Minagh on December 1, 2024. (AFP)
Anti-government fighters take over the airport of the northern Syrian town of Minagh on December 1, 2024. (AFP)
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Pro-Iranian Militias Enter Syria from Iraq to Aid Beleaguered Syrian Army

Anti-government fighters take over the airport of the northern Syrian town of Minagh on December 1, 2024. (AFP)
Anti-government fighters take over the airport of the northern Syrian town of Minagh on December 1, 2024. (AFP)

Iranian-backed militias entered Syria overnight from Iraq and were heading to northern Syria to beef up beleaguered Syrian army forces battling opposition fighters, according to two Syrian army sources.

Dozens of Iran-aligned Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters from Iraq also crossed into Syria through a military route near Al-Bukamal crossing, a senior Syrian army source told Reuters.

"These are fresh reinforcements being sent to aid our comrades on the front lines in the north," the officer said, adding the militias included Iraq's Katiab Hezbollah and Fatemiyoun groups.

Iran sent thousands of Shiite militias to Syria during the Syrian war and, alongside Russia with its air power, enabled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crush the opposition and regain most of his territory.

A lack of that manpower to help thwart the anti-government onslaught in recent days contributed to the speedy retreat of Syrian army forces and withdrawal from Aleppo city, according to two other army sources. Militias allied to Iran, led by Hezbollah, have a strong presence in the Aleppo area.

Israel has also in recent months stepped up its strikes on Iranian bases in Syria while also waging an offensive in Lebanon which it says has weakened Hezbollah and its military capabilities.