NEW YORK — In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry spoke with Al-Monitor about the UN General Assembly speeches today by Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Here are excerpts of Shoukry’s remarks:
“I recognize that Prime Minister Lapid has publicly indicated his support of a two-state solution. This is something that we have constantly advocated in our discussions both with the Israeli government, and our partners in the European Union and the United States, and we hope that the solution will be fulfilled.
We recognize of course that in Israel there are upcoming elections, and the necessity to await the electoral process and the composition of a new Israeli government.
We hope that that government will endorse the two-state solution and effectively re-initiate negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, and implement them.
It’s not enough to declare one’s intentions.
More than three decades after Oslo, the vision of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, living side by side in security and peace with Israel, has not been achieved.
And I can understand the disappointment that was conveyed in President Abbas’ speech for exactly the same reason.”
Shoukry also discussed COP27, diplomacy around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, US-Egyptian relations, and human rights. Check back Saturday for more details.
