Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met on Tuesday evening with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamdallah to discuss the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a statement by Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid. The meeting came on the sidelines of an urgent meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee in Brussels, which is tasked with coordinating international assistance provided to the Palestinian Authority. Al-Hamdallah briefed Shoukry on the outcome of the recent Palestinian efforts to maintain the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, and the two discussed international stances on the Palestinian issue, the spokesman added. The Egyptian foreign minister affirmed to Al-Hamdallah Cairo's firm stance in supporting the Palestinian cause, which is in line with international legitimacy resolutions. The Palestinian prime minister expressed his appreciation for Cairo's support of the Palestinian cause, including its efforts to achieve national reconciliation. The two officials also discussed means of empowering Palestinian institutions and improving the economic situation in the Gaza Strip, as well as enhance the standard of living for Gazans. Al-Hamdallah affirmed the Palestinian Authority's keenness to enhance coordination with Egypt in the coming period to push forward reconciliation efforts. The Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting is being held under a European initiative in light of the recent developments in Jerusalem, and mainly aims to discuss Palestinian-Israeli peace prospects and ways to maintain a coherent and unified international stance regarding the Palestinian cause.
