Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Tuesday asserted that terrorism and its groups would have never grown in such intricate way without the concept of the modern State being undermined in favor of extremist ideologies along with the spread of the discourse instigating hatred and violence under the cloak of religion.

In his speech at the fourth Arab-European ministerial meeting here, Shoukry added that the rational State with its viable security institutions is the major force that can stand up to terrorism and uproot terrorist plans.

He underlined on this score the role of religious institutions that could produce an enlightened religious discourse that confronts the intellectual extremism and establishes the values of tolerance and moderate thinking.

Shoukry underlined the necessity of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis that would help restore stability and end the suffering of the Syrian people.

He highlighted on this score the necessity of maintaining the territorial integrity of Syria and upholding its national institutions.

"Egypt is denouncing all terrorist operations committed by Daesh group and other terrorist organizations in Syria", said the Egyptian top diplomat.

The lesson of the past five years - though tough and harsh at the humanitarian level - is very clear and requires the international community only to work for hammering out a solution to the Syrian crisis, he added.

As for the Libyan crisis, Shoukry said that the political vacuum has clearly led to catastrophic consequences which are becoming clear day after another.

Toppling the former regime in Libya led to the almost complete collapse of the national State and the future of Libya as one political entity became now contingent upon plots by extremist groups and armed militias that are holding up the implementation of the Sukheirat reconciliation agreement, added Shoukry.

As for the Palestinian issue, he pointed out that it will remain the major strategic challenge in the region. Other immense challenges facing the region should not distract our attention from the Palestinian cause, he pointed out.

It is no longer acceptable that the international community would connive at the Palestinian cause as a major factor for re-establishing stability and security in the Middle East, he added.

Regarding the Arab-European meeting, Shoukry confirmed Egypt's keenness on having partnership with the European Union members at the regional and bilateral levels.

Source: MENA