Egypt, UAE Say No to Meddling in Arab Affairs

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have stressed their rejection of interference in the affairs of Arab countries and pledged to prevent such meddling from affecting the region’s security and stability.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said on Thursday that Cairo backs the security and stability of Gulf states.

He made his remarks during talks in Cairo with UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash.

A statement said Shoukry and Gargash “discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties, as well as issues of mutual interest.”

“They also reviewed regional developments, the challenges facing intra-Arab national security and emphasized the mutual keenness on maintaining regional security and stability.”

The meeting touched on the means of strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ahmed Hafez, said Shoukry and Gargash discussed the wars in Syria and Libya.

Also Thursday, Shoukry met with the ambassadors of African countries in Cairo, Hafez said.

The FM stressed Cairo’s commitment to consolidate joint African cooperation, saying such measures would not be limited to Egypt’s African Union presidency in 2019.

Shoukry told the diplomats that African states are capable of joining hands to overcome challenges facing the continent, said Hafez.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister briefed the ambassadors on the key achievements during Egypt’s (AU) chairmanship such as regional integration, and economic and social development in African states, the spokesman added.