The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, today received the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, who is visiting Spain on the occasion of the recognition of the State of Palestine and in support of Spain's role in the Gaza conflict. Both ministers agreed that these months represent “a key moment, with the future of the Mediterranean at stake”, and agreed to continue coordinating and working together for peace.
After the meeting at the Palace of Viana, Albares praised the constructive role that Egypt plays to promote peace and its dialogue with all regional actors. In the same vein, he welcomed Egypt's efforts to negotiate a ceasefire agreement that would allow for the immediate release of hostages and the massive influx of humanitarian aid, hoping that the current Egyptian-backed peace initiative would result in a lasting peace in the Middle East.
Minister Albares also conveyed to his Egyptian counterpart his solidarity with the situation in Egypt resulting from the Israeli offensive on the Rafah region, which is causing a forced displacement of the population and could have regional consequences.
The Spanish minister recalled that Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel, “irrefutable proof that it is possible and necessary that, together with establishing a Palestinian State, Israel should be integrated into the region and be able to live in peace and security”.
Appreciation of Spain’s role
Minister Shoukry also wanted to personally thank Spain for taking an important and courageous step towards achieving the two-State solution by recognising the State of Palestine. He added that we are at the beginning of a road to peace, which was paved at the Madrid Conference in 1991 and during the Oslo Accords, and that requires both sides to be recognised by the international community.
Lastly, Minister Shoukry reiterated that Egypt supports the Spanish proposal to hold a Peace Conference with the international community and the parties, an initiative that has already been endorsed by the European Council, the Arab League, and the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation.
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