Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on Monday met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in preparation of the fourth tripartite meeting between the leaderships of the three countries.

The ministers affirmed the implementation of joint projects aimed at deepening coordination, cooperation and strategic integration to materialise the directives of the three leaderships and the outcomes of previous summits, the most recent of which was the Amman summit hosted by Jordan in August 2020, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The ministers discussed the achievements of ministerial teams in the three countries and emphasised the necessity of following up on the proposed, target projects and their implementation within specific time frames to  maximise benefits and realise economic potential. 

The meeting’s agenda tackled a number of regional and international issues, foremost of which are the Palestinian cause, combating terrorism, promoting joint Arab action and attuning political stances to resolve the region’s crises.

Other topics of common interest included industrial cooperation and integration, the joint economic city, electricity, oil, agriculture, food security, logistics, transportation and construction projects.

In a joint press statement, Safadi conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah’s hopes in rendering the coming leaders’ summit a step towards bolstering cooperation and building on the binding natural foundations for integration in a way that will be reflected positively on the three countries and their peoples. 

Safadi added that the summit constitutes a message for supporting Iraq and devoting all capabilities to enhance its security and stability, rebuild the country and provide a better life for the Iraqi people who deserve better after years in which they made enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism to achieve a victory "for all of us”.

Safadi extended thanks to his Iraqi counterpart for organising the event after the leaders’ summit was postponed in solidarity with Egypt’s after the railway tragedy, expressing the Kingdom's condolences to the victims’ families and wishes of speedy recovery for the injured. 

On another note, he congratulated Egypt for its success on Monday in clearing the Suez Canal after being blocked by a container ship. 

In regard to regional issues, he highlighted the necessity of achieving a just and comprehensive peace that  guarantees the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestine  with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital on the lines of June 4, 1967.

He also reaffirmed the desire to have a region free of tensions, enjoying relations based on the principle of good neighbourliness, respect and non-intervention.

He reiterated the need to end "the disaster” in Syria, preserve Syria's security and stability, and restore its main role in the region. 

In turn, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry thanked Iraq for hosting the meeting, appreciating the two leaderships and the two peoples for the solidarity and sympathy they expressed for the tragic events that took place in Sohag