CAIRO: In a significant diplomatic encounter, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Monday for a bilateral meeting. This rendezvous preceded a consequential tripartite summit held the same day, uniting the leadership of Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine. The summit convened in the picturesque city of New Alamein on the North Coast, with the primary agenda of delving into the latest updates surrounding the Palestinian cause.
Ahmed Fahmy, the spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency, revealed that the discussions between President El-Sisi and King Abdullah II encompassed an array of subjects. Their conversations were underscored by mutual satisfaction with the robust relationship that binds their nations. Both leaders expressed an eagerness to fortify these ties in ways that would bring forth mutual benefits to their people and countries. Their aspirations extended beyond the bilateral sphere, embracing a tripartite collaboration involving Iraq. Particularly, the economic and commercial aspects were highlighted as points of focus. Additionally, the leaders delved into an array of global and regional matters that concern both Egypt and Jordan.
Within this diplomatic exchange, an emphasis was placed on the Palestinian issue. The leaders vowed to bolster their nations’ collective support for “the brethren in Palestine” and to actively contribute to reinvigorating the peace process. The overarching aim was to facilitate a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian predicament, aligning with international legitimacy.
Gratitude was expressed by King Abdullah for Egypt’s role in hosting the pivotal tripartite summit. Subsequently, President El-Sisi and King Abdullah joined hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to partake in the summit.
The core focus of the tripartite meeting revolved around the advancement of the Palestinian cause. The leaders resonated their endorsement for a “two-state solution” as the path to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was asserted that east Jerusalem should serve as the future capital of Palestine. These deliberations were encapsulated in a statement by Fahmy in the aftermath of the summit.
In the conclusive communiqué issued after the summit, President El-Sisi and President Abbas emphasized the historical Hashemite custodianship of the sacred Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem. This guardianship’s significance in preserving the Arab identity of these sites was underscored.
Leading up to these diplomatic events, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly participated in the 31st session of the Jordanian-Egyptian Higher Committee. The committee’s co-chair was Bishr Al-Khasawneh, the Jordanian Prime Minister. This meeting, held at the premises of the Jordanian counterpart, saw the signing of twelve agreements that fostered a deeper level of bilateral cooperation. The agreements spanned multiple sectors, including economic and development policies, financial regulations, environmental preservation, and social affairs.
The interactions between Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine underscored a shared commitment to addressing crucial regional issues and fostering cooperation on multiple fronts. The tripartite summit marked a significant milestone in these endeavours, amplifying hopes for a peaceful and just resolution to the Palestinian dilemma.
