Egyptian & Russian FMs Discuss Gaza Crisis and Potential Solutions

On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today to discuss the latest developments in Gaza and potential solutions. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meetings, held on June 10 and 11.

Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesperson and Director of Public Diplomacy at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that a significant portion of the discussions focused on the Gaza crisis. Minister Shoukry emphasized the ongoing mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar aimed at brokering a deal that would lead to a ceasefire. This agreement would facilitate the exchange of prisoners and detainees and the delivery of aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza. The ultimate goal is to achieve a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.

Minister Shoukry also welcomed Russia's proposal to hold a meeting with the foreign ministers of Russia and five Arab countries to discuss ways to resolve the conflict and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. This meeting would also aim to support the political process and revive the peace process according to relevant international frameworks.

Shoukry expressed Egypt's appreciation for the positive developments in bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Russia. This includes the establishment of the Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and significant progress in the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant project. Shoukry praised the active role of the current Russian presidency of BRICS, emphasizing Egypt's keen interest in participating in the meetings organized by the Russian presidency across various sectors, involving different national entities at the ministerial and senior official levels.

The ministers also discussed several regional issues, including the ongoing situation related to the Ukraine war and various proposals on how to end the conflict. They addressed the latest developments in the Sudan crisis, stressing the importance of working towards ending the conflict and preserving the state's resources and institutions.

The meeting between Shoukry and Lavrov underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the complex issues in Gaza and the broader region. It highlights the importance of international cooperation in seeking sustainable solutions to these challenges.