Egypt’s Foreign Ministry: Kerry’s vision on Mideast peace matches ours

The vision of the U.S Secretary of State John Kerry on reviving the Middle East peace process goes in line with that of Egypt, spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid said on Thursday.

The spokesman’s remarks came in response to Kerry’s Wednesday announcement of a six-principle vision to resume peace talks that would ultimately lead to a two-state solution.

Kerry’s vision outlines that reaching a peaceful settlement based on two-state solution requires providing secure and recognized international borders according to the 1967 lines with mutually agreed equivalent swaps as well as a just, agreed, fair, and realistic solution to the Palestinian refugee issue.

It also stresses that UN Security Council’s Resolution 242, which has been enshrined in international law for 50 years, provides for the withdrawal of Israel from territory it occupied in 1967 in return for peace with its neighbors and secure and recognized borders.

The vision as well urges for providing a resolution for Jerusalem as the internationally recognized capital of the two states, and protects and assures freedom of access to the holy sites consistent with the established status quo.

“Kerry’s vision needs to be fully examined…The U.S Secretary of State spoke about his vision with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry over the past few months,” Abu Zeid revealed in a press release.

The spokesman added that re-launching of peace negotiations requires great efforts in the upcoming period, expressing Egypt’s readiness to contribute to resumption of peace talks in partnership with regional and international actors.

source: WAFA