Shoukry highlights importance of Sisi's participation in UNGA meetings

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry highlighted the importance of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's participation in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings this year in view of Egypt's membership at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

In statements to MENA on Friday, Shoukry noted that this is the first time for an Egyptian president to participate in a UNSC summit.

During the UNGA meetings, Sisi will expound Egypt's vision on ongoing efforts to settle regional crises to maintain stability in the region in addition to the latest political and economic developments in Egypt.

He added that Sisi will also take part in the UNSC summit on the developments in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Libya.

The top diplomat underlined Egypt's keenness on maintaining Syria's unity of lands, stressing Egypt's support for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis.

Shoukry also noted that Egypt will highlight the importance of restoring stability in Libya and realizing national rapprochement in line with the Sukhairat declaration.

He stressed Egypt's full support for Libya's legitimate national army and all its efforts to restore security and stability in the Arab State and protect its oil wealth.

Asked about a call by the US and five European States urging the Libyan army under Commander Khalifa Haftar to withdraw from the oil-rich Helal area after liberating it from armed militias, Shoukry said the statement issued by these States in this respect was hasty and did not take into consideration the domestic conditions of Libya.

Shoukry highlighted the importance of Sisi's chairmanship of the African Peace and Security Council (PSC) summit due to be held on the fringe of the UNGA meetings.

The PSC summit will discuss the latest developments in South Sudan, he said, noting that the president will also chair a meeting of the Committee of African heads of state on climate change to review the outcome of the Paris climate change conference. The talks will also tackle preparations for the coming conference due to be held in Marrakesh, Morocco, in November, he said.

Sisi will also participate in a high-level meeting on refugees and migrants, Shoukry added.

On the fringe of UNGA meetings, Sisi will hold important meetings with key members of the US Democratic and Republican parties, Shoukry said.

He added that there are no plans so far for Sisi's meeting with US presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Clinton's electoral campaign has announced that Sisi will meet with Clinton on the sidelines of the UNGA meetings.

Shoukry noted that Sisi will hold meetings with key US figures in the business sector to increase US investments in Egypt. On the fringe of the UNGA meetings, Sisi will hold meetings with world leaders.

Sisi will also have interviews with US media to highlight Egypt's efforts for supporting regional States along with encouraging foreign investments in Egypt.

Source: MENA