Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry embraced his Syrian counterpart Faisal Miqdad during his reception in Cairo today, Saturday. This visit marks the first of its kind in about 12 years and represents the latest indication of improving relations between Arab countries and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
According to an unnamed Egyptian security source cited by Reuters, the visit aims to establish steps for Syria's return to the Arab League through Egyptian and Saudi mediation. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry published photos of the two ministers during a closed meeting, followed by a broader discussion.
Informed sources at Cairo Airport reported that Miqdad arrived on a flight from the Syrian capital, Damascus, and his arrival procedures were completed in the VIP lounge, where he was received according to foreign ministry protocols.
Earlier this February, the Egyptian foreign minister visited Damascus to express solidarity with Syria in the wake of the earthquake's repercussions, where he was welcomed by his Syrian counterpart at Damascus Airport. During his visit to Damascus, Shoukry also met with President Bashar al-Assad at the Syrian Presidential Palace, marking his first trip to Syria since the onset of the Syrian crisis in 2011.
Shoukry stated during his visit to Damascus that the relations between the Egyptian and Syrian peoples are solid and strong, and that Cairo and Damascus are working to address the challenges facing the Syrian people and to overcome the effects of the devastating earthquake.
Following his arrival in Cairo, Miqdad held a bilateral meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, which was followed by an extensive discussion session at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry led by the two ministers. The two sides are discussing bilateral relations and various developments in the region and the world.
