The European Union (EU) and Egypt Monday underlined comprehensive resolution to the Palestine question is the two state solution that ends Israel occupation and leads to the establishment of an independent, contiguous, sovereign and viable Palestinian State, on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This come in a joint statement released after the ninth meeting of the Association Council of the European Union and Egypt that took place in Luxembourg. They warned of the danger inherent in the absence of a political horizon to end the conflict and emphasized the necessity of relaunching serious and meaningful negotiations to achieve the two state solution and restore confidence in the Middle East peace process. The two sides condemned the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements, confiscation of land and forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes, as illegal measures under international law, that undermine the viability of the two state solution and the prospects for peace. The statement said EU and Egypt are committed to reinforcing cooperation in foreign policy at the bilateral, regional and international organizations levels, notably in the UN and multilateral forums, including the Union for the Mediterranean, the League of Arab States and the African Union. In this context, the EU and Egypt exchanged views inter alia on the Middle East Peace Process, Libya, Syria, Horn of Africa and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The Association Council adopted new Partnership Priorities to guide the EU Egypt relationship until 2027, in line with the new EU Agenda for the Mediterranean and its Economic and Investment Plan and Egypt's Sustainable Development Strategy Vision 2030. "Combating terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism represents a common goal of the EU and Egypt enshrined in the Partnership Priorities," noted the statement Both sides welcomed their upcoming co-chairmanship of Global Counter Terrorism Forum starting in March 2023 and reiterated their commitment to address the root causes of terrorism with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The EU also welcomed the efforts exerted by Egypt towards becoming an energy hub in the region with focus on renewable energy Guided by the Partnership Priorities. The EU and Egypt will further deepen their dialogue and their cooperation around three overarching priorities — (Sustainable Modern Economy and Social Development) Partnering in Foreign Policy, and Enhancing Stability, it said. The EU and Egypt expressed concern about the impact of the Ukraine war on increased food insecurity globally, as well as on global supply chains and energy and commodity price hikes. The EU will support Egypt's efforts to enhance its cereal production and storage facilities with 100 million euro ($104 million) from the regional Food and Resilience Facility to provide partial assistance to meet the consequences of rising prices of food and commodities. Today's meeting was co chaired by EU High Representative Josep Bomeland and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in the presence of Oliver Varhely, the EU Commissioner of European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, as well Foreign Ministers loannis Kasoulides from Cyprus and Nikes Dencias from Greece. — KUNA
