Day: February 10, 2024

Rafah border crossing Saturday 10/02/2024 received 26 injured Palestinians and 43 escorts coming from the Gaza Strip to receive treatment in the Egyptian hospitals.

“As many as 415 Palestinians were allowed into Egypt,” an official source at Rafah crossing said, adding that eight Palestinians crossed the terminal from Egypt to Rafah.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry Saturday 10/02/2024 held tête-à-tête meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Mariya Gabriel, the Deputy prime minister of Bulgaria, at the premises of Ministry of Foreign Affair in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

“Well-established relations and close ties to enhance various aspects of cooperation in various fields,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid posted on his official account on “X” platform.

Earlier in the day, Shoukry received the Bulgarian deputy prime minister and foreign minister at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry and accompanied her to the Cabinet’s premises, where she will meet Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli.

Later in the day, Shoukry and Gabriel will co-chair the meeting of the joint Egypt-Bulgaria committee, in the presence of a host of ministers from both sides.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli highlighted available opportunities of cooperation between Egypt and Bulgaria in the economic field, pointing out to the keenness of the Egyptian government to increase the rates of trade exchange between both countries.

Madbouli lauded bilateral ties between both countries, adding that the bilateral ties progress over the past years.

This came during Madbouli’s meeting on Saturday 10/02/2024 with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel and her accompanying delegation in presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Bulgarian Ambassador to Egypt Deyan Katratchev and Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Khaled Emara.

During the meeting, Madbouli lauded Gabriel’s efforts to boost bilateral ties.

Madbouli pointed out to the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and Bulgaria in the field of food security via increasing Bulgarian wheat supply directly to Egypt, adding that there is a possibility to increase importing wheat and oil seeds from Bulgaria in return
of exporting Egyptian veggies and citrus to Bulgaria.

Madbouli asserted keenness of the Egyptian government to encourage cooperation between the private sector in both countries to increase the rates of investment and mutual manufacturing in different fields including information technology, artificial intelligence and renewable energy.

He welcomed the possibility to provide a zone allocated for the Bulgarian companies in the SCZone so that Egypt would become a center for launching Bulgarian companies and trade to the Middle East and Africa.

In return, Bulgaria would become a center for directing Egyptian exports towards the European Union and a logistic and storage base in south east of Europe and the Balkans, he said.

He asserted that the distinguished position of Egypt and Bulgaria can extremely benefit both countries.

Madbouli pointed out to boosting cooperation in the field of renewable energy, adding that Egypt achieved progress on the road of supporting and encouraging investments in the field of
green hydrogen.

Madbouli also pointed out to the efforts exerted by the Egyptian state in the field of electric linking with a number of European countries, asserting Egypt’s keenness on cooperating with Bulgaria in this field as soon as possible.

PM Madbouli also reviewed Egypt’s efforts exerted to prevent illegal emigration, pointing out that Egypt is cooperating with the EU to stop illegal migration.

He added that Egypt provides training programs for the Egyptian cadres as part of a program to export Egyptian labor legally.

Meanwhile, Gabriel said that Egypt is a strategic partner to Bulgaria and it is a main partner in the trade file.

Egypt and Bulgaria cooperate in the field of food security, especially in supplying Egypt with wheat, she said.

Bulgaria is open to cooperating with Egypt in the field of green hydrogen in addition to cooperation with Egypt to ban illegal emigration, she said.

She lauded the Egyptian efforts exerted to reach a solution to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,
asserting Egypt’s role in supporting the stability of the Middle East and Africa.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Egypt and Bulgaria signed three agreements following the first meeting of the joint committee between both nations on Saturday 10/02/2024, including a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in natural gas.

The other two agreements include mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports as well as an MoU on cooperation between Egyptian and Bulgarian defence ministries.

The meeting was held in Cairo and co-chaired by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Gabriel.

Both sides confirmed their deep commitments to enhancing the bilateral relations in a way that reflects the nature of the EU-Egypt partnership, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

The Egyptian and Bulgarian sides expressed their commitment to strengthening their economic and trade dialogue to explore future opportunities to expand trade and investment.

The statement added that the two
sides agreed to enhance all activities to enhance the private sector and boost small and medium-sized businesses, encouraging mutually beneficial startup activities, mainly in the innovative digital and green domains.

During the meeting, the Egyptian side presented the opportunities available in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, encouraging Bulgarian investment to participate in the zone.

Both sides also agreed to exchange expertise in information technology, with the Egyptian side inviting Bulgarian companies to invest in the emerging IT sector in Egypt.

Efforts to improve connectivity and transport links were also discussed, with a focus on establishing closer cooperation between the seaports of both countries.

Additionally, they encouraged their respective national airlines to advance cooperation and explore the possibility of establishing direct flights between Sofia and Cairo.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Minister of Defence and Military Production Mohamed Zaki asserted on Saturday 10/02/2024 the necessity of intensifying efforts to put an end to the regional escalation and reach a solution for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Minister Zaki’s remarks came during a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Todor Tagarev and his accompanying delegation, which is in Cairo for the first meeting of the joint cooperation committee between the two countries.

According to the Egyptian Armed Forces Spokesperson Gharib Abdel-Hafez Gharib, Minister Zaki further stressed that deepening the partnership between Egypt and Bulgaria would enhance regional and international security and stability.

From his side, the Bulgarian defence minister expressed pride in the historical relations between both countries, praising Egypt’s efforts to resolve the Palestinian cause and securing the entry of humanitarian aid for the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, the meeting touched on the repercussions of the current cri
ses and their impact on security and stability in the Middle East.

Additionally, Zaki and Tagarev discussed ways to enhance military cooperation between Egypt and Bulgaria in several fields.

They signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of defence cooperation between the armed forces of both sides.

An official reception ceremony was held for Tagarev at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Egyptian Ministry of Defence, where military music played the national anthem for both countries.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces Osama Askar and several military commanders from both countries.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Caretaker PM Najib Mikati is currently meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Caretaker PM Najib Mikati is currently meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Caretaker PM Najib Mikati is currently meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has warned against the Israel planned assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, affirming that it would further deteriorate the humanitarian situation.

In a press conference on Saturday with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel in Cairo, Shoukry noted the Israeli remarks about further military activities in the southern Gaza Strip foreshadow further civilian casualties and a catastrophic humanitarian situation.

He added that there are 1.4 million Palestinian citizens, who are crowded into the very small area of Rafah city, while being unable to protect themselves from these military actions.

Shoukry also warned against the impact of these military actions on the region, calling for respecting the humanitarian situation and spare the strip further civilian casualties and destruction.

‘There is international consensus that the region cannot bear the same intensity of military operations that we witnessed in the past period,’ Shoukry
stated.

‘The humanitarian conditions are deteriorating, and any expansion of military operations will have grave consequences,’ he added.

Forced displacement policy

Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s rejection of forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands. He warned against the Israeli measures, which naturally lead to this forced displacement, stressing that these measures must be seen as a ‘systematic policy.’

‘It is important that these measures do not persist to achieve this rejected outcome,’ he stated.

Reaping fruits of ‘double standards’

Shoukry said that Egypt has repeatedly warned of the repercussions of the war in Gaza and the spillover of the conflict in the region, which the international community now faces.

‘The international community is currently witnessing the consequences for which it bears responsibilities due to the double standards that have astonished not only the global public opinion but also the Arab and Islamic communities,’ he emphasized.

‘Complex negotiations’

The top Egyp
tian diplomat shed light on the deal that was formulated through consultations held in Paris late in January between intelligence agencies. He also highlighted Israeli statements considering the deal unacceptable or unsuitable as a basis for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

However, he stressed that the Israeli perspectives have not hindered continuous communication and efforts being made in Cairo to bridge the gap in viewpoints and establish a framework that allows for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian detainees.

He added that Egypt’s ultimate goal is a complete cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

‘We have always affirmed that the objective is a comprehensive ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and working to prevent the liquidation of the Palestinian cause through forced displacement of Palestinian people, whether from Gaza or the West Bank, beyond their territories,’ he stated.

He described the negotiations between Israel and Hamas as ‘complex’ as each party
seeks to achieve their interests as much as possible.

He confirmed the continuation of Egyptian efforts to cease hostilities and spare the Palestinian people from the ravages of the war and the severe damage inflicted on innocent civilians.

He, however, stressed that the situation is evolving negatively in light of the Israeli planned assault on Rafah.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Secretary General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani.

The pair reportedly discussed the latest political and security developments in the region, especially in the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, and the rest of the fronts of the resistance axis.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon

Secretary General of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani.

The pair reportedly discussed the latest political and security developments in the region, especially in the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, and the rest of the fronts of the resistance axis.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon