Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Shoukry discusses Turkey-GNA accord with Russian counterpart, UN's Libya envoy
Cyprus, Egypt, Greece and France to hold a summit in January in Cairo
Published in Daily News Egypt on 24 - 12 - 2019

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed on Tuesday the recent updates in Libya with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the United Nation's (UN) Libya envoy Ghassan Salame, and German National Security Advisor Jan Hecker, according to a ministry statement.
In sperate phone calls, Shoukry and the three officials exchanged views over the recent updates in the region, in particular, the maritime border and security and military accord that was signed almost a month ago between Turkey and Libya.
The four officials agreed to avoid any escalation in Libya or the region, and to push for a comprehensive settlement to end the Libyan crisis, including the Berlin peace process to restore the security and the stability in the region.
In the meantime, Shoukry addressed with Hecker the preparations of the Berlin conference which is expected in the new year. The Libyan peace conference is organised by Germany and the UN, aiming to achieve a ceasefire and to ensure that all parts of conflicts commit to the arms embargo.
On the other hand, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, and France will hold a summit in the new year in Cairo, according to Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. In an interview with the Greek TV station "Alpha", Dendias said the foreign ministers of the four countries will meet on January 4 or 5.
Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus regularly hold joint meetings in rotation to boost ties and cooperation.
The summit will follow a meeting between leaders of Israel, Cyprus, Greece in Athens on Jan. 2 to sign an agreement for the construction of EastMed pipeline. The project, which will be completed in 2025, aims to export gas from Israel to Italy and Europe.
In his interview, Dendias said the EastMed pipeline did not come as a response to Turkey activities in the Eastern Mediterranean region. He added that the EastMed pipeline will represent “an alternative energy route and will meet the needs of Europe".
The new pipeline is expected to satisfy about 10% of the natural gas needs of the European Union, according to the Associated Press.
The details of Cairo's summit have not been released yet. However, it is seen as a response to address the Turkish recent accord with the GNA.
In a similar context, the Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj has criticised Italy's stance on the memorandum of understanding (MoUs) signed with Turkey, saying that his country is a sovereign state and has the right to sign agreements with whatever party it chooses.
Al-Sarraj told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that he was upset that the Italian Foreign Minister met with Khalifa Haftar, also criticising the visit of the Greek Foreign Minister to the Interim Government in Benghazi.
“Our capital is being destroyed and houses demolished, and our sons are being killed, so no one expects us to sit and watch this without taking action,” he explained.
Previously, Italy expressed rejection to the MoU between Turkey and Libya, as its Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio said, "it could fuel the conflict" after he visited Tripoli and Benghazi a few days ago.
Turkey triggered Mediterranean tension when it signed its MoUs for military and security cooperation and on the maritime border with Government of National Accord (GNA) on 27 November.
Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece condemned the accord. Greece expelled the Libyan ambassador for failing to send the content of the GNA and Turkey maritime and military agreements.
Turkey has been also condemned over its unauthorised drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, while Greece emphasised its sovereignty over its maritime zones.
Earlier in November, Egyptian, Greek, and Cypriot defence ministries met in Greece and signed a document that condemned the Turkish assault in both the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and Syrian territories.


Clic here to read the story from its source.