Press release

Foreign Secretary meets Egyptian Foreign Minister

Foreign Secretary meets Egyptian Foreign Minister to discuss the situation in Egypt and regional issues.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Foreign Secretary William Hague met the Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy in Brussels on 2 April. They discussed the political situation in Egypt, including the Presidential elections scheduled for 26-27 May.

Speaking after the meeting, a Foreign Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary raised his strong concern over the death sentence imposed on 529 people on 24 March and the case of two British journalists who have been charged in Egypt and are currently being tried in absentia. He asked the Egyptian Government to review these issues as a matter of urgency and to ensure that the individuals’ human and legal rights are properly upheld.

The two ministers also discussed recent events in the Middle East, including the crisis in Syria and the importance of progress on the Middle East Peace Process.

The Foreign Secretary condemned today’s attacks in Cairo and sent his condolences to the families of the victims and those who have been injured. He reiterated the importance of cooperation against the shared threat from terrorism. He also raised the UK’s concerns regarding the security situation in the South Sinai region. He urged the Egyptian Government to do all it could to protect British nationals in Egypt, including those visiting the Red Sea resorts over the holiday season, and to take further measures against the risk of terrorism.

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Published 2 April 2014