Press release on a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry

A telephone conversation was held on October 16 between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry.

Their discussion centred around the abrupt escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with a focus on the drama unfolding in the wake of the flare-up in the Gaza Strip and the surrounding areas. The foreign ministers of Russia and Egypt were clear that attacks on civilian infrastructure were unacceptable and emphasised the immediate necessity of ending the violence against innocent civilians, regardless of their location. They stressed the urgency of achieving a ceasefire and establishing safe corridors for the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid to the affected regions within the Palestinian enclave, as well as ensuring the safe passage of civilians.

Sergey Lavrov and Sameh Shoukry outlined the key reasons behind the unprecedented escalation in the region and highlighted the fact that it was sparked primarily by lack of progress in the political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They emphasised that such a resolution should be based on an established international legal framework which includes the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders which would coexist in peace and security alongside Israel.

Sameh Shoukry briefed Sergey Lavrov about the upcoming summit in Cairo on October 21, where the Palestinian situation will be comprehensively reviewed. The parties agreed to maintain close interaction on all aspects of the ongoing developments in the Middle East.