CAIRO, May 31 (NNN-MENA) – Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, met yesterday, with his visiting Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi, to discuss solidifying the recent truce in the Gaza Strip and ways to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
The two ministers agreed to continue consultations between the two countries and the Palestinian Authority, “to explore ways out of the current stalemate in the peace track,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.
The talks also addressed necessary measures to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza, following the recent Israeli bombings that caused massive damages to infrastructure. Egypt allocated 500 million U.S. dollars for reconstruction.
Ashkenazi’s visit to Egypt came, 10 days after the Egypt-brokered ceasefire, that ended the 11-day Israel-Hamas fighting, which left at least 248 Palestinians, including women and children, and 12 Israelis dead.
It is the first trip by an Israeli foreign minister to Egypt since 2008. On the other hand, Shoukry’s visit to Israel in 2016, was the first of its kind by an Egyptian foreign minister since 2007.
During the meeting, Shoukry called for taking further measures during the current truce, to reinforce calm and provide the necessary conditions for “creating an atmosphere conducive to reviving the desired political path.”
The Egyptian top diplomat also reiterated Egypt’s fixed position in support of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders.
He also referred to the two-state solution as “the only way to achieve just and lasting peace, as well as, the desired regional security and stability,” emphasising the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Ashkenazi’s trip to Cairo coincided with Egypt’s sending of a high-profile security delegation to Israel and Palestine, to discuss related issues and the Israeli-Palestinian truce.
The security delegation will discuss ways to reach a comprehensive truce in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.– NNN-MENA
