Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Egypt to participate in the D-8 summit, marking the first presidential visit since 2013. The summit aims to address economic cooperation and regional issues, particularly the situations in Palestine and Lebanon, amidst improving Iranian-Egyptian relations.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are set to visit Egypt for the upcoming D-8 summit, according to statements made by Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry. The high-level Iranian delegation is scheduled to participate in the 21st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation, which will take place in Cairo on December 18. Prior to the summit, foreign ministers from the member states—including Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Bangladesh—will convene to finalize essential documents pertaining to the agenda of the D-8.
The D-8 summit, occurring the following day, will bring together the leaders of these eight Muslim-majority countries, with the central theme being “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Shaping the Future Economy.” This meeting emphasizes the importance of utilizing multilateral platforms to address pressing regional issues effectively. Additionally, a special meeting for the leaders of the D-8 nations is planned, where Iran will engage in discussions with other member states regarding regional concerns, particularly the situations in Palestine and Lebanon.
This upcoming visit marks a significant moment as it will be the first official visit to Egypt by an Iranian president since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended a gathering in Cairo in 2013. Diplomatic relations between the two nations have been strained since 1980, following the Islamic Revolution in Iran and Egypt’s recognition of Israel. However, since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, relations have begun to thaw, especially in light of Egypt’s mediating role amidst recent conflicts in Gaza.
The D-8 organization aims to foster economic cooperation among member countries and is scheduled to celebrate its 11th summit in Cairo on December 19, 2024. This visit underlines the evolving dynamics of Iranian-Egyptian relations and their shared interests in addressing regional challenges together.
The Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation, or D-8, was established to enhance cooperation among developing Muslim-majority countries in economic and cultural domains. The organization includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. Amid evolving political landscapes and ongoing regional conflicts, particularly in Gaza, diplomatic engagements between Iran and Egypt have increased. The last presidential visit from Iran to Egypt occurred in 2013, highlighting the significance of Pezeshkian’s upcoming trip as it signals a potential shift towards strengthening bilateral relations.
In summary, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to Egypt for the D-8 summit marks a historic moment in relations between the two nations. The summit aims to address vital economic issues while the meetings will provide a platform for dialogue on pressing regional conflicts. As Egypt and Iran navigate their complex historical relationship, this engagement may pave the way for further cooperation and dialogue in the future.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
