Egypt assumes presidency of Union for Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly - Foreign Affairs
Egypt has taken over the presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), succeeding Spain. The handover was formalised during the Assembly's 18th Plenary Session, held on Thursday in Spain.
Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, Mohamed Abou El-Enein, was unanimously elected as PA-UfM President with the support of 43 parliamentary leaders across the Mediterranean. He succeeds Spanish Parliament President Francina Armengol.
Egypt's regional priorities
In his address, Abou El-Enein presented Egypt's strategic vision for addressing ongoing crises in the Mediterranean. He praised the Assembly's efforts to advance regional development and integration. Still, he warned that instability—particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza—continues to threaten cooperation among member states.
Describing Israel's war on Gaza as 'brutal aggression' amounting to genocide, Abou El-Enein accused Israel of seeking to expand regional conflict and obstruct diplomatic efforts. He reiterated Egypt's rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians. He underscored President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's stance in support of a two-state solution.
'A just and lasting peace in the Middle East is a prerequisite for genuine regional cooperation,' he said, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He also commended President El-Sisi's handling of tensions involving Israel and Iran, positioning Egypt as a stabilizing force in the region.
Assembly members echo support
Several members of the Assembly echoed Egypt's concerns, condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and calling for accountability. They voiced support for Egypt's opposition to the displacement of Palestinians. They backed the two-state solution as the foundation for lasting peace.
Egypt's role in the PA-UfM
Abou El-Enein stressed that Egypt's diplomatic approach—both parliamentary and governmental—prioritizes dialogue and cooperation. He noted that Egypt is assuming the presidency during a critical period for the Euro-Mediterranean region, which is facing mounting challenges to both security and development.
He thanked the Spanish Parliament for its leadership during its term and reaffirmed Egypt's longstanding commitment to the PA-UfM. He described the Assembly as a crucial platform for dialogue and coordination among Mediterranean countries.
Parliamentary leaders also praised Egypt's early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza. They expressed confidence in El-Sisi's leadership in promoting regional stability.
Upcoming UfM events in Egypt
According to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), Egypt will host a preparatory meeting of the PA-UfM Bureau in Sharm El-Sheikh from 11–14 September. An international conference on political and economic issues in the Mediterranean is also scheduled for 28–30 November.
The PA-UfM serves as a regional platform for fostering political dialogue and cooperation among countries bordering the Mediterranean through parliamentary diplomacy.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
37 minutes ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
UK Seizes over 2 Tons of Cocaine Worth £96 Mln at London Port
Israa Farhan British authorities have announced the seizure of 2.4 metric tons of cocaine at London Gateway port, one of the largest drug interceptions in the country's history. The estimated street value of the narcotics stands at £96 million. According to the UK Home Office, this operation ranks as the sixth-largest cocaine seizure ever recorded in the United Kingdom. The drugs were discovered concealed beneath dozens of shipping containers aboard a vessel arriving from Panama, a known transit hub for international narcotics trafficking. The interdiction was carried out earlier this month by specialist officers from the UK Border Force, who worked in coordination with the port operator to relocate 37 large containers in order to reach the illicit cargo. Authorities emphasized the strategic significance of this interception. Container ships remain a key method used by transnational criminal networks to smuggle cocaine into the United Kingdom. This seizure reflects the growing sophistication of British border security efforts. Charlie Eastaugh, Director of Maritime Operations at UK Border Force, highlighted that the operation exemplifies the agency's proactive stance in combating organized crime. British law enforcement is increasingly leveraging intelligence-sharing and cross-border cooperation to identify and dismantle international drug networks. The United Kingdom remains one of Europe's largest cocaine markets, with cocaine-related fatalities in England and Wales rising by 31% between 2022 and 2023, according to official government data. The National Crime Agency (NCA) continues to warn that the country is a major target for global narcotics traffickers. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
See - Sada Elbalad
37 minutes ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Protesters in Thailand Demand PM Resignation
Israa Farhan Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over her handling of a volatile border dispute with Cambodia. Despite heavy monsoon rains, Bangkok police estimated the turnout at over 17,000. The protest, led by the nationalist group United Force of the Land, saw crowds chanting for Shinawatra, nicknamed "Ung Ing", to step down, accusing her of undermining national sovereignty. The unrest follows a deadly military skirmish on May 28 near the disputed Preah Vihear temple, a centuries-old sacred site claimed by both Thailand and Cambodia. The clash resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier and reignited nationalist tensions in Thailand. Public outrage intensified after a leaked phone call between Shinawatra and Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen surfaced. In the conversation, meant to ease diplomatic tensions, the Thai leader referred to Hun Sen as 'uncle' and described a Thai military commander stationed near the border as her 'opponent'—remarks that critics saw as deferential and inappropriate. Although Shinawatra issued a formal apology, the damage to her reputation was done. Protesters and political commentators alike argue that her conduct reflects a lack of resolve and compromised leadership during a sensitive territorial dispute. Cambodia has reiterated its claim to the Preah Vihear temple, a stance supported by the 1962 International Court of Justice ruling and reaffirmed in 2013. On Saturday, during a speech marking the 74th anniversary of Cambodia's ruling party, Hun Sen condemned the Thai military's actions as a violation of Cambodian sovereignty, invoking Cambodia's history of foreign occupation and resistance. The Shinawatra family has long been a lightning rod in Thai politics, with previous administrations led by family members frequently challenged by mass protests and coups. Saturday's demonstrations mark a renewed chapter in Thailand's ongoing struggle between nationalist movements and populist leadership. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Irish rap group Kneecap plays at Glastonbury despite criticism - War on Gaza
Irish-language rap group Kneecap performed to tens of thousands of people Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. He's on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August. "Glastonbury, I'm a free man!" Ó hAnnaidh shouted as Kneecap took the stage at Glastonbury's West Holts field, which holds about 30,000 people. A scattering of Palestinian flags flew in the capacity crowd before the show, which opened with an audio montage of news clips referring to the band's critics and legal woes. The Belfast trio has been praised for invigorating the Irish-language cultural scene in Northern Ireland, but also criticised for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and political statements. The band draws, often satirically, on the language and imagery of the Irish republican movement and Northern Ireland's decades of violence. It has faced criticism since videos emerged allegedly showing the band shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and calling on people to kill lawmakers. Members of the group say they don't support Hezbollah or Hamas, nor condone violence, and Ó hAnnaidh says he picked up a flag that was thrown onto the stage without knowing what it represented. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because it supported the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza. Several Kneecap gigs have been cancelled as a result of the controversy. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, when asked by a journalist, that it wouldn't be 'appropriate' for the festival to give Kneecap a platform. Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the publicly funded BBC shouldn't broadcast 'Kneecap propaganda.' The BBC, which airs many hours of Glastonbury performances, said it wouldn't show Kneecap's set live, but would 'look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap's performance available on our digital platforms' afterwards. About 200,000 ticket holders have gathered at Worthy Farm in southwest England for Britain's most prestigious summer music festival, which features almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages. Headline acts performing over three days ending Sunday include Neil Young, Charli XCX, Rod Stewart, Busta Rhymes, Olivia Rodrigo and Doechii. Glastonbury highlights on Friday included a performance from U.K. rockers The 1975, an unannounced set by New Zealand singer Lorde, a raucous reception for Gen X icon Alanis Morissette and an emotional return for Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, two years after he took a break from touring to adjust to the impact of the neurological condition Tourette syndrome. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
