Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Japanese counterpart Yoko Kamikawa on Thursday asserted rejection of any Israeli ground attack targeting the Palestinian city of Rafah, due to its catastrophic consequences on the residents of the strip.
This came during a telephone call Shoukry received from Yoko to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip as well as joint efforts to reach a ceasefire deal and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance, according to a Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid.
The foreign minister renewed Egypt’s total rejection of the forcefully displacement attempts of Gaza residents, liquidating the Palestinian issue as well as a ground assault of the Palestinian city of Rafah.
Meanwhile, the Japanese top diplomat underscored her country’s total rejection of any ground assault on Rafah, describing the move a serious step.
The two sides agreed on continuing coordination and consultation towards boosting joint efforts meant to put an end to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip shortly.
Yoko congratulated Shoukry on the occasion of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s swearing in for a new term in office. She said that Japan is looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with Egypt.
The Japanese foreign minister stressed her country’s eagerness on upholding coordination and consultation regarding key regional and international issues.
She hailed partnership with Egypt, which has a crucial role in achieving peace and security in the Middle East and Africa regions.
Shoukry expressed keenness on accepting the invitation of the Japanese foreign minister on making the tour of strategic dialogue between the two countries, in light of the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to Cairo in April 2023, which has witnessed declaring promoting the bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.
The Japanese foreign minister notified the Egyptian top diplomat about Japan’s decision to resume financing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) as of April 2nd, due to the vital role of the UN agency in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people, according to the foreign ministry spokesman.
Shoukry underlined Egypt’s appreciation of Japan’s decision to resume financing the UNRWA, which is considered a lifeline for the Palestinian people amid the deteriorated circumstances there.
Yoko, meanwhile, affirmed Japan’s appreciation of Egypt’s pivotal role in mediation efforts between stakeholders to reach a humanitarian pause leading to a durable ceasefire as well as Egypt’s role in securing the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
