During his current visit to New York, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with Mogens Lykketoft the new President of the UN General Assembly. During the meeting, they coordinated over the issues included on the General Assembly's agenda during its 70th session. In addition, they discussed the coordination between the UN Security Council and General Assembly and the role that Egypt could play in this regard during its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
Counsellor Ahmed Abu Zeid, Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, stated after the meeting that Minister Shoukry offered his congratulations to the new General Assembly President and offered Egypt’s support throughout his presidency of the 70th session of the Assembly. The Foreign Minister also discussed during the meeting issues of concern to Egypt that are on the General Assembly's Agenda, most importantly the Palestinian issue and the General Assembly's vital role in addressing the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories when the Security Council is unable to act due to the use of the veto. They also discussed other important issues related to the General Assembly's committees, including the issues of disarmament and economic and social development.
The spokesperson added that the meeting also addressed Egypt's upcoming membership in the UN Security Council and the importance of cooperating and coordinating between Egypt and the General Assembly President during Egypt’s tenure in the Security Council. In addition to discussing the reform of the Security Council and the working methods of the UN and its various organs, as well as the important role that the General Assembly can undertake when it comes to new challenges confronting the Middle East, most notably the crisis of refugees and displaced persons as well humanitarian aid to people located in conflict zones.