Egypt FM visits Qatar in ongoing efforts to better relations
Egypt FM visits Qatar in ongoing efforts to better relations
The Egyptian foreign minister carried a letter from President Sisi as the two countries seek to improve ties.
2 min read
Shoukry (R) is in Qatar as part of ongoing efforts to improve ties after diplomatic rift [AFP/Getty Images]
Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry flew to Qatar Sunday evening on an official visit as part of ongoing efforts to mend ties between the two countries.
Shoukry carried a message from Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi addressed to Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which "revolves around the positive developments taking place in Egyptian-Qatari relations", the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
It added that Cairo and Doha were looking to take further measures in the coming period to improve bilateral cooperation that "achieves the interests of the two brotherly countries and their peoples".
Shoukry said in an interview on Saturday that Egypt is working to "turn the page on the past" with Qatar, to achieve the national interest and strengthen ties with Arab nations.
"We are working to… remove the negative (repercussions) resulting from the boycott with Qatar, to restore relations, enhance security and strengthen ties with our Arab brothers."
Doha is set to host Arab foreign ministers in an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to discuss the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam which has worried Egypt for years over possible water shortages.
A January declaration put an end to a diplomatic crisis and blockade on Doha that began in 2017 pitting Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain against Qatar.
The countries accused Qatar of cosying up to Iran and financing extremist groups in the region, though Doha strongly denied the charges.
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