There's a need to accelerate the pace of negotiations after some three years or more have passed since the signing of the preliminary agreement in Khartoum and things have remained frozen.

Sameh Shoukry

Categorized in : World

We're certainly looking forward for consolidating and strengthening the U.S.-Egyptian relationship.

strengthening looking-forward

It is always our objective to have close ties with the United States. We're at a transitional period of our history and we're on a road to reform.

We look forward, from what we heard from President-elect Trump, a clear vision related to the conditions and the challenges in the Middle East. And there's a great deal of parallelity in that vision related to how we can eradicate terrorism, how we can regain stability in the region.

terrorism vision challenges

I think the issue that concerns us is certainly regaining stability, but issues of human rights are an integral part of our reform policies, of our new constitution.

constitution human-rights thinking

And I think anyone would be interested to get to the bottom of accusations related to minors and related to abuse. So, I would challenge the issue of bogus accusations. And I think it's important to recognize the impartiality of the Egyptian judicial system.

abuse challenges thinking

We consider that it is the national armies of the nation state which are responsible to fight terrorism. That is their primary responsibility. They have the better ability, rather than relying on any form of foreign intervention in this regard.

army fighting responsibility

We have been cooperating with both the United States and Russia, have been actively supporting a greater understanding between them.

I have spoken to the minister of irrigation, who attended this meeting, and what has reached me is that the obstruction that has bogged down this path for more than a year has not been overcome.

We continue to show flexibility and continue in a positive direction, but taking into account that we must achieve the progress that leads to achieving common interests, and also that there is a time frame for all countries that must be taken into consideration.

It is important that we keep a focus and that we send a clear message and do not confuse issues related to the battle against terrorism with other issues, we uphold the freedom of expression, we uphold the freedom of journalism.