President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has told Egyptian journalists that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is ready and willing to host Israel-Palestine peace talks.
Putin has offered to host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for direct talks in Russia, according to Sisi.
In an interview on local and foreign issues with the chief editors of state-run newspapers Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar and Al-Gomhouriya, published on Monday, Sisi said that everyone must push for a solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, since it is the key to regional stability.
“Israel’s certainty about the importance of peace is increasing,” said Sisi, stressing the need to accomplish a reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in order to achieve national unity.
Earlier in May, Sisi declared Egypt’s intentions to play the role of mediator between Palestinians and Israelis in order to resume peace efforts.
He indicated a real chance of achieving peace, security and stability by way of talks.
Since then, Egypt received several Israeli delegations. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Tel Aviv in pursuit of similar aims.
On Sunday, a high-level Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo for a short visit to discuss Sisi’s initiative to revive the suspended peace talks.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
