Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, confirmed that Group of four regional parties Which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, represents a platform for consultation to enhance security and stability and reduce escalation, and then the various crises in the region will be dealt with from an objective perspective, and from the perspective of promoting political and peaceful solutions, and they are not directed against anyone.
This came during the meeting held by the Minister of Foreign Affairs with a limited number of diplomatic editors today (Sunday) at the conclusion of the fourth meeting of the group of four regional parties, which was hosted by Cairo and included Dr. Badr Abdel Ati and Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic.
In response to a question from the Middle East News Agency about the inauguration of the group of four regional parties, which includes about half a billion people, and Cairo’s hosting of this important meeting today, as well as the participation of the Egyptian leadership in the G7 summit and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s emphasis on the centrality of the Palestinian issue; Whether this mechanism can be developed to develop steps or play mediation roles or settlements for other important regional issues, Minister Badr Abdel-Ati stressed the conformity of the positions of the four countries regarding the centrality of the Palestinian issue and the extreme importance of overcoming what the Iran-specific war left behind in distracting attention and not focusing regional and international attention on the Palestinian issue.
Congruence in positions between the four ministers
In this regard, he highlighted the similarity in positions between the four ministers today, noting that this proposal was also made during the G7 summit with three leaders of the region, Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, President of the sisterly United Arab Emirates, and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and this was the subject of a lengthy conversation between the three leaders and US President Donald Trump, as well as with the leaders of the G7 major countries.
He pointed out that there was agreement that it was time to refocus once again on the Palestinian issue, complete the first phase’s entitlements, and begin implementing the second phase of President Trump’s plan.
With regard to the quadripartite framework that includes Egypt and Saudi Arabia And Pakistan And Turkey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that this framework is a platform for regional consultation, and this is a very important issue for dealing and consultation between major regional parties in the region, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, which are pivotal countries in the region, and they have a responsibility to consult among themselves to work to achieve security and stability in the region.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that this group is a platform, a framework, and a mechanism for coordination and consultation at the regional level
Cairo hosts the group of regional parties
Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aty indicated that Cairo hosted today the fourth meeting of the Quartet of Regional Parties, where the ministers participating in this meeting, namely the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, began the meetings today in Cairo by having the honor of a lengthy meeting with Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
He added that during the meeting, Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi presented Egypt’s vision regarding the current regional situation and the Egyptian vision on how to continue collective action through Egypt and its regional partners from the three countries in working to reduce the escalation and work on the success of the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States. He pointed out that President El-Sisi stressed the importance of the continued role of the parties of the regional quartet in the ongoing work to achieve security and stability in the region and work to make the negotiations currently taking place in Switzerland between the American and Iranian sides a success. Mr. President also stressed Abdel Fattah El-Sisi praised Egypt’s appreciation for the role played by Pakistan, as well as the important role played by the brothers in Qatar, the integrated coordination that took place between Egypt and Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and the efforts of the Quartet countries in achieving this important breakthrough through joint coordination among the four countries.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs said that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi heard today a presentation from the three ministers regarding the vision for working to activate the role of the Quartet in the coming period and working to strengthen cooperation, coordination and joint consultation between the four countries.
The Foreign Minister added that the fourth meeting of the four regional parties was also held today and there was a lengthy agenda and dialogue between the four ministers regarding the current regional situation and how the Quartet will continue to play a role in supporting the ongoing negotiating process between Iran and the United States to ensure the success of the second phase, recalling that the first phase culminated in the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, and we are now in the second phase, which includes ongoing dialogue and negotiations for a period of 60 days until a final agreement is reached between the American and Iranian sides.
Not using armed force
He explained that today there was talk about joint efforts to support reaching this final agreement, regional security concerns, and the importance of joint action and joint coordination with regard to dealing with these concerns, especially with regard to the basic principles and determinants that must be adhered to, especially the principles of non-aggression, non-use of armed force in settling disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and respect for the sovereignty of states and the unity and integrity of their territories.
He added that today’s meeting is being prepared The first meeting of the Quartet, He issues a joint statement, and this statement reflects the consensus reached between the foreign ministers of the four countries, pointing out that the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey appreciated and expressed great appreciation for the important meeting that took place with Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi this morning and the Egyptian vision presented by President El-Sisi regarding the reality of the current situation and the importance of working to reduce escalation and achieve security and stability, as well as the future Egyptian vision for regional security.
Minister Abdel Ati described today’s meeting as “very positive and very constructive” and reflected the consensus between the four countries and the keenness on their part to coordinate with all relevant regional and international parties to work to reduce escalation and promote and strengthen political and diplomatic solutions, noting that a very important topic was also discussed, which is related to the centrality of the Palestinian issue, which was reflected in the joint statement.
He pointed to the complete consensus that the core of the conflict in the region is the Palestinian issue, and that without resolving it it is not possible to talk about sustainable regional security arrangements without the Palestinian people obtaining their full legitimate rights and establishing the Palestinian state, on the borders of June 5, 1967 AD, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is a very important and very central issue.
The interest of the entire region and the interest of the entire world
He said that today’s meeting also dealt with many files that concern the region, and there was a consensus among the four ministers to continue daily consultation and coordination, and this coordination will continue to achieve the interests of not only the four countries but also the interest of the entire region and the interest of the entire world.
He explained that there is also consensus on appreciation for US President Donald Trump and his leadership, especially with regard to the Palestinian issue, and that it is time, after the negotiation process began to reach a final agreement, that attention be refocused once again on the Palestinian issue, and to stop all illegal and inhumane practices in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. The importance of the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories was also discussed, and also, to move forward with the implementation of the second phase of President Trump’s plan, which includes restricting weapons. Also, the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
