Egypt-UK Inaugurate First Partnership Council

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry  and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt-UK Inaugurate First Partnership Council

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry  and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry kicked off an official visit to London on Monday to inaugurate the first Egypt-UK partnership council.

The council will be co-chaired by Shoukry and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. It will include political consultations and discussions on economic and trade issues, with the participation of British Minister of State for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said this step comes in line with efforts to bolster bilateral cooperation in various fields, as Shoukry is scheduled to hold several meetings in this regard.

The FM first met with British Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Lord Tariq Ahmad.

Hafez said Shoukry welcomed the open dialogue between Cairo and London on various issues of common interest, as well as the ongoing communication between the two sides.

They underscored the importance of launching the Egypt-UK partnership council, which will contribute to further enhancing joint action and bilateral cooperation, as well as increasing British investments in Egypt and the volume of trade exchange.

Talks also touched on the current global economic crisis and ways to mitigate its effects.

Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s participation in the upcoming international Ministerial Conference, which will be hosted by London on July 5, to promote freedom of religion or belief.

He cited Cairo’s achievements in this regard, as well as the state’s keenness to uphold the principles of citizenship, equality and non-discrimination among citizens.

Hafez said both ministers exchanged views on issues related to the human rights situation, in addition to several regional and international issues of common interest, including the situation in Libya and the ongoing developments there.



Hamas Seeks to Convey Gaza Ceasefire Plan to Trump via Türkiye

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
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Hamas Seeks to Convey Gaza Ceasefire Plan to Trump via Türkiye

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a meeting with Hamas leaders on Sunday (Turkish Foreign Ministry)

Hamas is pushing to promote a new ceasefire initiative for the Gaza Strip and is seeking Türkiye’s support to convey its vision to the administration of US President Donald Trump, two sources from the Palestinian group told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Speaking separately on condition of anonymity, the sources said Hamas leadership believes that its proposed “comprehensive deal” or “one-package offer” could be relayed by Turkish officials to Washington, capitalising on Ankara’s strong ties with the Trump administration.

The proposal comes as part of renewed diplomatic efforts to end hostilities in Gaza and secure broader international engagement in resolving the conflict.

Hamas is seeking Turkish support to promote a new ceasefire proposal in Gaza that includes the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, a complete halt to hostilities, and a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory.

A Hamas delegation led by senior official Mohammed Darwish met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday, as well as intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, to discuss the group’s ceasefire vision, internal Palestinian affairs, and other regional issues.

One of the sources said Hamas is basing its push for Turkish mediation on recent comments by US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, who reportedly suggested Washington could guarantee a ceasefire if Hamas releases all hostages.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several of his ministers have publicly rejected the group’s initiative.

“The meetings in Türkiye aimed to convey a message to Turkish officials, urging them to use their strong ties with the current US administration to pass along Hamas’s proposal to Washington,” the second source said.

The sources noted that Hamas is also relying on other channels, including Qatari mediation, to relay its plan to the Trump administration, hoping to pressure Israel into accepting the terms.

According to the sources, Hamas believes the United States could play a pivotal role in brokering an agreement ahead of Trump’s anticipated visit to the region — a trip the former president reportedly wants to take while fighting in Gaza is paused.

The group’s proposal, reported by Asharq Al-Awsat last week, includes a five-year ceasefire with regional and international guarantees.

Hamas is also calling for the entry of humanitarian aid under established protocols and says it accepts the formation of an independent Palestinian committee—composed of unaffiliated technocrats—to govern Gaza, in line with an Egyptian proposal backed by Arab, Islamic, and European countries.