The Foreign Ministry hosted a session of the strategic dialogue between Egypt and Yemen at the ministerial level. The dialogue began with a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri and his Yemeni counterpart Sha’i Mohsen Al-Zindani, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said on Wednesday.
The meeting, Abu Zaid added, reflected the deep concern of both parties about the increasing risks of the ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, and its consequences on the security of navigation and trade in Suez Canal. This is in addition to its impact on the movement of international trade, which exacerbates the current global economic crisis. The two sides underscored the responsibility of the international community in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and providing the necessary support to finance the United Nations relief programmes there.
The two top diplomats also discussed the latest developments of the situation in Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Libya. They also reviewed in detail the months-long Gaza war, with its catastrophic humanitarian consequences. In this respect, Minister Shoukri reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of Israel’s military control of the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side, which led to the suspension of the flow of humanitarian aid.
He also said that the aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza is not isolated from the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, warning against the risks of the ongoing escalation, which threatens the stability and security of the entire region.
Shoukri stressed Egypt’s support for legitimacy in Yemen, which is represented by the Presidential Leadership Council. He noted that Egypt supports all efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, in a way that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people, in accordance with the terms of the Yemeni National Dialogue, the Gulf Initiative and the outcomes of the recent Yemeni consultations in Riyadh, as well as in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, most notably Resolution No. 2216.
Minister Shoukri also affirmed Egypt’s firm support for the unity, independence, and territorial integrity of the Yemeni state, noting that Yemen’s security and stability are of utmost importance to the national security of Egypt and the security of the Arab and Red Sea regions.
He expressed Egypt’s keenness to enhance cooperation with the Yemeni government in its efforts to develop infrastructure and rehabilitate human resources in various fields.He stressed, in this regard, Egypt’s openness to engage in Yemeni development projects and reconstruction efforts.
Shoukri also spoke about Egypt’s efforts to provide all support to the Yemeni people, including medical and food aid. He noted that Egypt hosts large number of Yemeni citizens on its territory and provides them with all living services equivalent to Egyptians.
For his part, the Yemeni Foreign Minister expressed his country’s deep appreciation for Egypt’s support of Yemen, praising the close and deep-rooted historical relations between the two countries. He welcomed the results of strategic dialogue between the two countries at the level of senior officials yesterday.
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