By Manal Abdel Fattah
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zaid, the official spokesman and Director of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that, on January 19, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sameh Shukri, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Summit in Kampala.
The official spokesman explained that Minister Shukri stressed, at the beginning of the meeting, Egypt’s pride in the depth and complexity of the path of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and the distinguished levels of brotherhood and solidarity it has reached in light of the mutual keenness between the leaderships of the two countries to develop and strengthen them in various fields, expressing the keenness to Continue bilateral work and coordination, including under the umbrella of joint Arab action, for the good and interest of the peoples of the region, and within the framework of the upcoming Bahraini presidency at the leadership level and the ongoing arrangements for holding the Arab summit in Manama.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid added that the two ministers’ discussions focused extensively on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, and the paths of political and diplomatic action aimed at achieving a comprehensive ceasefire, as the two ministers stressed the continued intensification of movements at the regional and international levels towards the inevitability of achieving a ceasefire and enforcing it. Humanitarian aid in a full and sustainable manner, in implementation of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and to stop Israeli attacks and violations that violate all provisions of international humanitarian law.
Ambassador Abu Zeid explained that the two ministers’ discussions also extended to include the ongoing escalation in the region against the backdrop of the situation in Gaza, including developments on the Lebanese scene, in Iraq, and threats to navigation security in the Red Sea, where Minister Shukri warned of the consequences of expanding the conflict in the region over peace. Regional and international security, and the need to intensify joint Arab action to confront this scenario and avoid its repercussions that threaten the safety and capabilities of the peoples of the region.
For his part, the Bahraini Foreign Minister affirmed his country’s firm appreciation for the frameworks of fraternal relations that bring together Egypt and Bahrain, and the importance that his country attaches to developing and strengthening various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, stressing the keenness to intensify bilateral consultation and coordination regarding issues of common concern, both at the bilateral level, to advance the path Relationships to broader horizons, or with regard to advancing calm efforts to strengthen the foundations of peace and security in the Arab region.
