Iranian President to Attend D-8 Summit in Egypt, Highlighting Thaw in Relations
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are set to visit Egypt for the D-8 summit scheduled for December 19, 2024. This visit will be the first by an Iranian president since 2013, highlighting a thaw in relations. The summit will focus on economic development themes while providing a platform for discussions on regional issues, particularly concerning Palestine and Lebanon.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will travel to Egypt for the D-8 summit of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation. This summit is set to take place on December 19, 2024, following the 21st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for December 18, where foreign ministers from member nations will finalize pertinent documents.
The D-8 summit will bring together leaders from eight Islamic developing countries: Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, emphasizing the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Shaping the Future Economy.” During the summit, Iranian officials will engage in discussions concerning regional matters, particularly the situations in Palestine and Lebanon, demonstrating Iran’s intent to leverage this Platform for multilateral diplomacy.
Notably, this visit will mark the first by an Iranian president to Egypt since 2013, reflecting a gradual warming of relations between the two nations since the diplomatic rift established in 1980. In recent years, contacts have intensified, particularly with Egypt playing a mediating role amid rising tensions caused by the Israeli conflict in Gaza, indicating a shift towards potential collaboration between the two countries despite historical hostilities.
The Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation, commonly known as D-8, facilitates collaborative efforts among developing Islamic nations to foster economic growth and cooperation. The organization’s membership includes Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. In recent history, the relationship between Iran and Egypt has improved due in part to shared interests and regional issues that necessitate dialogue, particularly regarding the Middle East’s geopolitical situation and ongoing conflicts. Diplomatic ties were severed in 1980 following Iran’s Islamic Revolution and Egypt’s recognition of Israel, but recent developments have indicated a potential for reconciliation and collaboration.
In conclusion, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to Egypt for the D-8 summit represents a significant diplomatic milestone, marking both the first Iranian presidential visit in over a decade and a notable shift toward improved relations between Iran and Egypt. The focus of the summit on youth development and economic support underscores the opportunity for collaboration among member nations, particularly in addressing pressing regional issues such as the situation in Palestine and Lebanon.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
