Egypt is increasing its efforts to launch serious and urgent negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis and started to mobilize international support for the talks through consultations with the foreign ministers of Jordan, Canada, and Malaysia.
The latest consultations addressed the possible resumption of the negotiations based on the two-state solution, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt, which is seeking to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Palestine, has sent prominent officials, chaired by the head of the General Intelligence, Abbas Kamel, to Ramallah, Gaza, and Tel Aviv.
Kamel also discussed a prisoner exchange deal and advancing the Palestinian national reconciliation.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi maintaining the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The two ministers also addressed the reconstruction process in the enclave and affirmed the importance of continuing their efforts to support the national Palestinian authority and improve the living conditions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza in cooperation with international partners.
Talks also covered efforts to relaunch serious negotiations to achieve a just peace on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Earlier, Shoukry received his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, who called for urgently launching serious and constructive negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Egypt's foreign ministry spokesman, Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, said Shoukry stressed the need to consolidate the ceasefire by stopping all practices that lead to tension and an escalation of confrontations.
Shoukry also received a phone call from his Canadian counterpart, Marc Garneau, who was briefed on the Egyptian stance, mainly in Palestine.
The Egyptian official emphasized the need to move urgently to launch serious negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, "especially since the recent weeks have undoubtedly proven that the Palestinian cause can no longer be ignored and left unresolved.”
Later, Shoukry held a video conference with his Malaysian counterpart, Hishamuddin Hussain, to exchange views on ways to strengthen cooperation relations between the two countries.
The meeting also touched on developments in Palestine and efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.
Shoukry referred to Egypt’s moves to stop the escalation and achieve the desired calm in the Gaza Strip, as well as the current efforts to build on the ceasefire.
He also addressed the efforts made to urgently re-launch negotiations, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
