Sameh Shoukry, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed on Tuesday Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, who is currently visiting Egypt to participate in the ministerial meeting between the Arab states and European Union.

Jumaa Mubarak A Junaibi, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the Director of the European Affairs Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, also attended the meeting.

Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesman of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Shoukry praised the depth of the relations between the two countries, stressing the keenness of Egypt to continue to develop those relations in all fields.

The spokesman added that during the meeting the two parties discussed overall developments in the region, including the crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen. Both parties stressed the importance of political settlements in ending these crises, in order to stop the bloodshed and achieve regional security in the Arab countries.

Within the same context, the Egyptian minister briefed Dr. Garqash about the outcome of his contacts and meetings during his last visit to Washington, and both parties exchanged their assessment of the future of Arab relations with the new American administration. In addition, they reviewed the outcome of the last Cairo meeting with important Libyan figures, stressing the importance of allowing the Libyan people to decide their own priorities and choices, without foreign intervention.

Additionally, the Egyptian minister presented the vision of his country in resuming negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli parties. The spokesman noted the importance of cooperation and coordination to protect Arab national security and intensify the efforts to fight terrorism and extremism, as well as resist intervention in the internal affairs of Arab countries.