In a significant tripartite convergence, Egypt, Jordan, and Japan wrapped up their inaugural ministerial-level consultations on Tuesday. This event was concurrently organized alongside the Arab-Japanese Ministerial Political Dialogue, graciously hosted by the Arab League in Egypt's capital, Cairo.
Key figures in the dialogue included Egypt's Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry; Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Al-Safadi; and Japan's diplomatic helm, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Articulating the essence of the deliberations, Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesperson for Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the shared vision among the three nations.
This mutual consensus aims to intensify cooperative avenues across diverse sectors, ensuring a wider regional outreach. Prominent sectors under this collaboration umbrella entail energy dynamics and electrical connectivity with Jordan and Iraq, enhancing export avenues in Palestine, and fostering educational ties in Lebanon.
A special highlight is the aspiration to introduce the Egyptian-Japanese schooling paradigm in Lebanon.
As the dialogues culminated, below is a comprehensive joint statement encapsulating the ministerial discussions:
1- The Ministers underlined the significance of high-level regional
dialogues, such as this Trilateral Consultations Mechanism, as it provides
a path towards tangible opportunities for deepening regional cooperation,
especially in view that the developmental and capacity building aspects are
considered crucial components to tackle regional challenges.
2- The Three Ministers then affirmed their commitment to further
expanding the trilateral cooperation to a broader spectrum of areas, which
would benefit more countries in the region, and go beyond the current
trilateral regional cooperation pilot projects in Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq.
In this vein, they welcomed the outcomes of these projects which are
considered an important launching of an ambitious cooperation mechanism between Egypt, Jordan, and Japan.
3- In this context, the Egyptian and Jordanian Ministers appreciated
the various assistance provided by Japan, and the progress that has been
achieved so far.
4- Focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the discussions
reflected convergence of views regarding the crucial importance of
achieving peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. To this end, the
Ministers reaffirmed the significance of preserving the notion of Nation--
state, and upholding the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, such as
respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
5- The Ministers affirmed the need for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East that ends the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian and Arab territories since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and resolves all permanent status issues, including the Palestinian refugees issue, in line with all relevant UN resolutions, the principles of International Law and “Land for Peace”, and the two-state solution.
6- Furthermore, the Ministers underscored their support for the right
to self-determination for the Palestinian people, and underlined the
the illegality of Israeli settlement activities, and that Israel must fully stop and
comply with relevant UN resolutions.
They stressed upholding unchanged the historical status quo in the Holy Sites of the occupied East Jerusalem, with particular regard to the Hashemite Custodianship of H.M King Abdullah II over Jerusalem’s Holy Sites. They also applauded the historical Egyptian efforts to sponsor the Palestinian reconciliation.
7- The Ministers also underscored the indispensable role of the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
(UNRWA), in fulfillment of its UN mandate, especially the provision of
assistance to 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in five areas of operation.
This role ought to continue until a lasting and just solution to the
Palestinian refugees’ issue, in accordance with international law and
relevant UN resolutions, especially UN General Assembly resolution 194,
and in the framework of a comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian —
Israeli conflict on the basis of a two — two-state solution.
8- The Ministers, noted that UNRWA is suffering from a financial
crisis underscored that UNRWA needs to be provided with sufficient,
sustainable and predictable funding from a more diversified and expanded
donor base, and called upon the international community to consolidate its
support to the Agency.
9- In this context, the Ministers welcomed the ministerial meeting that
will be hosted by Jordan and Sweden on the sidelines of the High-level
segment of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, which will help mobilize political and financial support for UNRWA to continue offering its services efficiently and without interruption.
10- In this framework, the ministers shared their views on the importance
of maintaining the unchanged current mandate of the Agency, as well as its
services to the refugees, which are the “exclusive responsibility” of the
Agency as per its UN mandate.
11- The Ministers concurred on convening the Second Trilateral
Ministerial Meeting in due course with a view to further strengthening the
trilateral cooperation.
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