Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Macedonian counterpart Bujar Osmani reiterated on Sunday the deeply-rooted relations binding the two countries.
At a joint press conference, Shoukry said talks tackled boosting political, economic and cultural relations as well as fostering cooperation among Mediterranean partners of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
He said there is a strong political will to boost bilateral cooperation, adding that they agreed on maintaining dialogue and going through the legal framework regulating relations between the two sides.
He said he will meet the invitation he received from the Macedonian foreign minister to visit his country.
Shoukry said he discussed with his Macedonian counterpart the situation in western Balkans and the Middle East in light of challenges besetting the two regions.
Talks also tackled the latest developments of the Palestinian issue, situation in Libya and efforts exerted by Egypt to achieve stability and face terrorism.
Shoukry said Egypt will continue all efforts to have close cooperation relations and set up a friendship based on mutual respect and UN charter.
North Macedonia’s independence and its aspiration for an EU membership opens new vistas for constructive relations between the two sides, he added.
The minister of foreign affairs of North Macedonia and Chairman of the Mediterranean Partners Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe described the talks he held with Shoukry as “frank and clear” as they focused on supporting bilateral relations on the basis of respect, trust and commitment to strengthening relations and finding more opportunities.
He pointed out to the importance of his current visit to Egypt, saying it is “the cornerstone in this framework.”
He said he invited Shoukry to visit Skopje next year, referring to communication between the chambers of commerce in the two countries for the sake of new and diverse horizons.
A number of issues in the Mediterranean basin were discussed, stressing that Egypt is an essential and important partner in its cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and plays an important role in this respect, he said, adding that he informed the Egyptian foreign minister that the cultural and social dimension of Egypt represents the cornerstone of this cooperation.
The organization is working to strengthen the bonds of relations, dialogue and direct communication, he said, referring to the intermediate partners’ contribution to achieve greater cooperation and lasting peace.
About the Arab-Chinese summit held in Riyadh, Shoukry affirmed that Egypt’s approach is consistent with that of the rest of the Arab brothers in establishing balanced relations on the basis of common interests among all international partners.
No one can deny that China is a permanent member state within the UNSC, he said, adding that during the last stage, it was able to make huge achievements in the economic field, becoming the second largest economy in the world and having an impact on its regional and international environment by virtue of its status and capabilities.
The Arab countries are interested in having balanced relations with all international partners in order to achieve common interests. Egypt and its Arab partners and brothers are interested in strengthening relations with the Chinese partner, which leads to expanded scope of political, economic and cultural cooperation, he added.
On the issue of illegal immigration, the North Macedonia foreign minister said his country fully appreciates the Egyptian role in confronting this issue.
Shoukry added that the talks dealt with the issue of illegal immigration and that Egypt is aware of the sensitivity of this issue for Europe.
Egypt continues its role in monitoring its maritime borders and working to dismantle organized crime organizations, he said, referring to Egypt’s development efforts to protect citizens from immigration. No illegal immigration ship has left Egypt since 2016, he stressed.
Egypt is committed to all legal frameworks that deal with the issue of migration and we look at it from a human and civilized perspective, he said, pointing out that Egypt received about 6 million immigrants, taking into account the motives that prompted them to leave their homelands.
Source: State Information Service Egypt