Minister McEntee begins visit to the Middle East and North Africa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee T.D., will travel to Egypt and Jordan this week for a series of bilateral engagements and consultations on regional issues. During the visit, the Minister will have meetings with two key regional partners, as well as engagements on the context of Ireland’s intensive efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and on issues of regional security and stability.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Minister said: “Ireland’s engagement with Egypt and Jordan, two of the most influential countries in the Middle East is hugely valuable for both our bilateral and regional relationships. Both countries have been at the forefront of efforts to restore a political pathway towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. My visit is an opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s full support for these efforts and to highlight our joint ambition for the realisation of the two-State solution”.

The Minister’s visit will include meetings in Egypt with Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, and Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The Minister will also undertake a visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. In Jordan, the Minister will have an audience with King Abdullah II and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi. The Minister will also meet with UN partners while in Amman and will visit an UNRWA Refugee Camp.

Speaking about the humanitarian focus of the visit, the Minister said: “Since the ceasefire came into effect over three months ago, the people of Gaza continue to endure the most appalling conditions. I will use this visit to press for safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access at scale. My visit to the Rafah crossing will be an opportunity to meet with key humanitarian partners and UN agencies, and to highlight the serious impacts of ongoing Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery. In Jordan, I will also engage with UN partners on the Syrian refugee response”.