Arab League, EU Leaders Confer on Middle East Peace, Migration Issues

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell convened in Cairo on Sunday to discuss recent Middle East developments and propose strategies to address persistent regional issues.

Aboul-Gheit and Borrell found common ground on the principles for pursuing a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The principles follow internationally recognized resolutions, pushing for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative, the Cairo-based Arab League said in a statement.

The duo also touched upon ways to tackle the root causes of unlawful Mediterranean immigration. A joint commitment was made to enhance institutional cooperation between the Arab League and the EU.

Special attention was given to the ongoing crises in regional countries, particularly the dire humanitarian conditions in Sudan. At a joint press conference following the meeting, Borrell emphasized that food security was a priority for the EU, particularly in supporting countries severely impacted by the current food crisis.