Lula proposes elevation of relationship to strategic partnership
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi affirmed that Egypt and Brazil agreed on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian aid in order to preserve civilian lives. They also stressed the importance of a political solution, the launch of a post-war phase, and the establishment a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The president’s remarks came during a joint press conference with the visiting Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Cairo on Thursday.
During the conference, the Egyptian leader discussed the situation in Gaza and said that Brazil is one of the countries that recognised the Palestinian state.
“I agreed with President Lula on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of captives and prisoners, and the entry of the largest possible amount of aid into the strip to preserve the lives of civilians,” President Sisi said.
The president also expressed appreciation for President Lula, calling him a great leader who is admired by the Brazilian people and the world.
The president added that the two countries are celebrating the 100th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Sisi also thanked President Lula for his genuine willingness to develop relations between the two countries in all fields, confirming that they agreed to develop relations in various fields.
He said that his talks with President Lula da Silva will be completed during his forthcoming visit to Brazil to attend the G20 summit.
He also clarified that it was also agreed to form a joint high-level committee between the two countries to coordinate co-operation and achieve the goals of this committee.
President Sisi also said that the bilateral talks reflected the consensus between the two countries in various fields, including international issues.
For his part, President Lula said that the escalating violence against more than two million Palestinians in Gaza is unacceptable, hailing Egypt’s role as crucial to find a solution to this conflict.
The Brazilian leader called for urgent measures to implement a ceasefire in Gaza, allowing for the entry of sustainable aid and the safe evacuation of all hostages.
He underscored the necessity of the establishment of a Palestinian state, within agreed and recognised borders, to achieve lasting peace.
He confirmed Brazil’s support to South Africa’s case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
President Lula affirmed that the United Nations does not have enough power to stop the Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip.
In this regard, President Lula called for involving new countries in the Security Council to achieve representation in Africa and South America. He underlined the pressing need for a new geopolitical structure within the Security Council.
He said that there is no justification for the Israeli reaction in Gaza, where the Israeli occupation forces killed women and children in an unprecedented way.
He also called for the abolition of the veto power used by many countries so that the United Nations can play its role in what is happening in Gaza.
The Brazilian leader also praised the Egyptian role towards the situation in Gaza, saying that war is often made by crazy decisions, citing the war between Russia and Ukraine as an example.
He also called for the UN Security Council to include other countries to achieve representation in Africa and South America.
President Lula also expressed support for the outcomes of COP27, especially the initiative of the international alliance against hunger and poverty and the international mobilisation against climate change.
He considered Egypt to be one of Brazil’s most important partners in Africa, saying that Egypt’s entry into BRICS will give countries the opportunity to participate in the development process and achieve a multipolar world.
He also proposed to President Sisi to elevate the relationship between the two countries to the level of strategic partnership, noting that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries is $2 billion, which is a small figure given the importance of the economies of the two countries.
