Shoukry, Wennesland Discuss Latest Developments in Palestinian Cause

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, in Cairo on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, in Cairo on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Shoukry, Wennesland Discuss Latest Developments in Palestinian Cause

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, in Cairo on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, in Cairo on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland in Cairo on Wednesday.

Shoukry underscored Cairo’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and efforts to achieve peace in the region.

In late May, Cairo underscored the importance of halting all measures and actions that target the Arab Islamic and Christian identity of Jerusalem and its sanctities, and aim at changing the historical and legal status quo of the city.

Shoukry warned then that the escalation affects the stability of the Palestinian territories.

This came during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub.

The FM reiterated that the continued expansion of settlement activity, whether through building new settlements or expanding existing ones, the confiscation of lands and the displacement of Palestinians, undermine the chances of reaching a two-state solution and the prospect for establishing a comprehensive and just peace in the region.

He further confirmed Egypt’s firm position on supporting the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

He underlined the need to hold talks to revive the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and reach a political solution that would end the Israeli occupation of Palestine along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In February, Cairo renewed its commitment to support Gaza’ reconstruction efforts. s

Its Permanent Representative to the UN Osama Abdelkhalek told the relevant UN committee that the Palestinian people should exercise their inalienable rights.

He affirmed that his country invested $500 million in projects to reconstruct the Gaza Strip, noting that Egyptian companies have started implementing these projects.



European Allies to Meet over Syria, Says Italy’s Foreign Ministry

 Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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European Allies to Meet over Syria, Says Italy’s Foreign Ministry

 Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Passengers wear adopted flags by the new Syrian rulers at the arrival terminal of Damascus airport, as Qatar Airways becomes the first international airline to announce the return of international flights at Damascus airport after 13 years of its suspension, in Damascus, Syria, January 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Foreign ministers from Italy, France, Germany, Britain and the United States will meet this week over the situation in Syria, Italy said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will preside over the meeting Thursday with his European and US counterparts, the ministry wrote in a statement.

The US Department of State had announced Monday that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken would meet European counterparts, calling it an occasion "to advocate for a peaceful, inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition".

Opposition forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive last month after 13 years of brutal war, with Western powers cautiously hoping for greater stability in Syria.

Italy's foreign ministry said Tajani sought the meeting "to take stock of the situation in Syria one month after the fall of the Assad regime".

On the agenda is the work of Syria's transitional government and the challenges posed by an upcoming national dialogue conference, it said.

Also to be discussed are the drafting of a new constitution and Syria's economic recovery.

In Rome, Blinken will join US President Joe Biden as he pays a farewell visit to Italy's capital that includes an audience with Pope Francis.