Relations with Arab states are above all interests, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Sunday, answering questions on the future of Egyptian-Qatari relations as a Saudi-backed initiative managed to partially improve severed ties between both Arab countries.
Speaking in a conference with diplomacy reporters, Shoukry said that the Qatari position has to take a practical turn that complies with the orientations with the broader Arab framework, adding that there is a desire to establish channels of communication between Cairo and Doha.
The minister maintained that the case of Turkey is different from Qatar since the latter is an Arab state. He stressed that Egypt had never taken a negative position towards Turkey, adding that Ankara had given contradictory political messages on its stance towards Cairo.
Shoukry said Ankara’s policy have not been positive and doctrinal, seeking to achieve specific interests at the expense of Egypt and the Arab region. He, however, said his country is ready to interact positively should Turkish policies take a different track.
Egypt’s relations with Qatar and Turkey have soured since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsy who enjoyed the support of both. Ankara and Doha had publicly condemned Morsy’s ouster, whereby Cairo cut diplomatic ties with both in response.
But Qatar declared support for Egypt under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi earlier this month, thanks to a Gulf-brokered reconciliation initiative.
