Egypt, Spain FMs discuss regional issues, sign MOU for political consultation

CAIRO - Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks on Saturday with his Spanish counterpart Arancha Gonzalez Laya on bilateral relations and regional issues, and the two signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for political consultation.

In a later news conference, the two ministers said that their talks addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian and the Libyan crises, and other regional issues of mutual concern.

Shoukry reiterated Egypt's position that supports the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of their independent state based on the UN-proposed two-state solution.

With regards to the Libyan issue, he said that Egypt seeks a political settlement in Libya and rejects foreign military intervention in the conflict-stricken neighboring country.

He told reporters that "the state of instability in Libya has greatly affected security and stability in Egypt, for we share a 1,200 km-long border, through which terrorist groups and elements constantly attempt to infiltrate into Egypt."

For her part, the Spanish top diplomat described Egypt as "a key player in the region," stressing that the Arab country plays an important role in the Mediterranean region and the continent of Africa.

"During our talks today, we discussed how to work together to reach consensual, peaceful settlements to all the conflicts going on in the region," Gonzalez Laya said, referring particularly to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the crises in Libya, Iraq, and Syria.

She pointed out that she also discussed with Shoukry cooperation between Spain and Egypt in combating terrorism and human trafficking.