Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Sunday met Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu during a rare visit to the Jewish state in an effort to rekindle the stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestine that has stoked anger in the region and escalated violence.
Shoukry, who arrived here to discuss an Egyptian initiative to break the deadlock, said his trip was a “continuation of Egypt’s longstanding sense of responsibility” towards peace for itself and all the people of the region. Shoukry’s visit marks the first by an Egyptian foreign minister in nine years.
Netanyahu welcomed the Egyptian initiative. “I welcome President al-Sisi’s recent offer of Egyptian leadership in efforts to advance peace with the Palestinians and a broader peace in our region,” he said.
“Today I call again on the Palestinians to follow the example of Egypt and Jordan and join us for direct negotiations. This is the only way we can address all the outstanding problems between us and turn the vision of peace, based on two states for two peoples, into a reality,” he said.
Emphasising that Egypt was keen to promote peace, Shoukry thanked the two sides for showing faith in Cairo.
“Today is a continuation of Egypt’s longstanding sense of responsibility towards peace for itself and all the people of the region, particularly the Palestinians and the Israeli people, who have suffered for many decades due to the perpetuation of the conflict between them,” Shoukry said.
“President al-Sisi is seeking to bring the long conflict to an end,” he told reporters.
“Such a monumental achievement would have far-reaching, dramatic and positive impact on the overall conditions in the Middle East region... Egypt remains ready to contribute towards achieving this goal. We greatly value the trust of both sides and the international community in our commitment to peace, stability and justice,” Shoukry emphasised.