Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Egypt to participate in the D-8 summit and the Foreign Ministers meeting. This marks an important diplomatic engagement amid improving relations between Iran and Egypt, which had severed ties in 1980. Focused on economic cooperation and regional issues, the summit is particularly significant given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are set to visit Egypt for the upcoming Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) summit. This engagement, confirmed by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei during a press conference, will see Foreign Minister Araghchi leading a delegation to Cairo to participate in the 21st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for December 18. The following day, the main D-8 summit will convene, focusing on the theme of investing in youth and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to shape the future economy.
Gathering representatives from eight Islamic developing nations—including Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Bangladesh—this summit aims to finalize essential documents prior to the full summit. Mr. Baghaei indicated that there will also be a special meeting among leaders on the summit’s sidelines to discuss significant bilateral and regional issues, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing situations in Palestine and Lebanon.
This visit marks the first by an Iranian president to Egypt since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in 2013. Iran and Egypt’s diplomatic relationship has experienced challenges since 1980, following Egypt’s recognition of Israel and its welcoming of the former Shah of Iran. Nevertheless, since the fall of Egypt’s long-time president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, diplomatic ties have begun to thaw, with increased interactions particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation, known as D-8, aims to enhance economic cooperation among member countries which include Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. Its formation is rooted in the recognition of mutual developmental challenges faced by these countries. Over the years, geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding the Middle East, have influenced the relationships among member nations, with Egypt and Iran’s complicated diplomatic history further illustrating these dynamics. The D-8’s objectives also encompass fostering dialogue on pressing global issues and enhancing collaborative efforts for sustainable development.
In conclusion, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Egypt for the D-8 summit represents a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at bolstering economic cooperation among developing nations. The meetings planned underscore Iran’s commitment to fostering ties with regional partners and addressing critical issues affecting the Muslim world, notably the situations in Palestine and Lebanon. This visit further indicates a gradual warming of relations between Iran and Egypt, suggesting potential for collaborative future endeavors.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
