Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul had a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Sameh Shoukry on March 13 at the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s request, and exchanged views on bilateral substantive cooperation, Middle East affairs, and cooperation on the international stage.

Foreign Minister Shoukry emphasized the necessity of immediate ceasefire as the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip are deteriorating due to the prolonged crisis. Also, Minister Shoukry requested that the Korean government make continuous and constructive efforts in the international community to resolve the situation.

Foreign Minister Cho also shared Foreign Minister Shoukry’s concern about the current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and appreciated Egypt’s leading efforts for peace in the region as a mediator. Minister Cho stated that the Korean government, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, will also continue participating in the international community’s efforts to resolve the situation.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Cho expressed his hope that Egyptian President El-Sisi will take part in the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit scheduled for June 4-5 this year, and that Minister Shoukry will also attend the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held prior to the Summit.

The two ministers appreciated that the ‘Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership’ between the two countries is growing rapidly in various fields such as high-level exchanges, the defense industry, economy, and development cooperation. The two sides committed to make efforts to deepen bilateral relations and to strengthen cooperation on the international stage.

The Korea-Egypt Foreign Ministers’ telephone conversation served as an opportunity to review the strong cooperative relationship between the two countries, as well as to exchange opinions on the recently worsening crisis situation in the Gaza Strip, and affirm the will of both countries to resolve the situation.