Cairo, March 29: Egypt’s Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has held separate phone conversations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Germany, as well as officials from the European Commission, to discuss efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the discussions emphasized the need to continue efforts to “immediately reduce” tensions. The officials stated that prioritizing diplomatic channels and fostering dialogue is the only way to prevent the region from descending into complete chaos with devastating consequences.
These talks also reviewed Egypt’s efforts, in coordination with regional partners, to advance negotiations between the United States and Iran, aiming to resolve the current crisis and protect the region and the world from catastrophic outcomes.
Earlier in the day, Shoukry departed for Islamabad, where he participated in a quadrilateral ministerial meeting with counterparts from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. This meeting focused on ongoing military tensions in the region and efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for maximum restraint regarding the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and warned that escalating tensions could lead to severe and long-lasting damage across the region.
Speaking at the International Strategic Communication Summit held in Istanbul, Fidan noted that the current tensions could deepen divisions and affect countries with closely intertwined histories. He stressed that the consequences would not be limited to immediate destruction but would also generate long-term social and psychological impacts.
“This conflict could deepen existing wounds and affect not only cities but also the hearts and minds of people,” he stated.
Fidan cautioned that prolonged tensions could destabilize the entire region and mentioned that diplomatic efforts have previously averted such situations. Reiterating Turkey’s opposition to escalating military tensions, Fidan urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue. These diplomatic efforts come amid heightened tensions following joint attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran since February 28, which prompted Iran and its regional allies to target U.S. and Israeli positions in the Middle East.
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