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| Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty |
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty affirmed that developments in the region since October 7, 2023, have proven that any attempts to impose hegemony or redraw the map of the Middle East unilaterally will not come to fruition.
The Egyptian minister stressed that any future regional arrangements must be based on consensus among the countries of the region, which includes influential regional powers, and that no country, no matter what it is, can impose its will or dominance on others by way of imposing its will or military force.
In response to a question about whether the idea of a "Greater Israel" or redrawing the region had become unachievable, the Foreign Minister stressed that any project based on imposing one's will unilaterally would not succeed, and that the collective will of the countries of the region is the basis for any future arrangements.
Regarding what is known as the "regional quartet" that includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, Abdel-Aati explained that the most accurate description of it is "a platform for consultation and coordination" between 4 influential regional countries, and not a military or political alliance.
He added that the platform aims to enhance cooperation between the four countries in various fields, in addition to coordinating positions on regional issues, most notably the repercussions of the Iranian-Israeli war, the course of negotiations, and arrangements for the day after in the region.
He noted that Egypt is also conducting close coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with the aim of developing a common Arab and regional vision regarding the future of the region, stressing that the door is open for the accession of other regional parties, provided that they adhere to the agreed parameters.
The Foreign Minister revealed that the regional quartet has held 4 meetings so far, stressing the continuation of the consultation and coordination mechanism between the participating countries.
On the Palestinian issue, Abdel-Aati stressed that any arrangements related to the control of weapons must be made within a Palestinian-Palestinian framework, and not through handing them over to Israel, stressing that Egypt is acting out of its national responsibility to preserve the Palestinian cause and prevent the continuation or expansion of the occupation.
The minister warned that the plan to displace Palestinians is still in place, noting that making life inside the Gaza Strip impossible may force residents to leave under the guise of "voluntary departure," given the continued deterioration of the humanitarian, health and environmental situation, and the failure to start early recovery projects or remove rubble so far.
