Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Egypt for the D-8 summit, marking the first visit by an Iranian president since 2013. The summit will focus on economic cooperation among eight developing Islamic nations, emphasizing youth investment and support for small enterprises. Enhanced diplomatic relations between Iran and Egypt are anticipated, particularly regarding regional issues, amidst increased contacts in recent years.
President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is set to visit Egypt for the upcoming D-8 summit. According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, Araghchi will lead a delegation to Cairo for the 21st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation, scheduled for December 18. This meeting, which aims to solidify the agenda for the D-8 summit, will include foreign ministers from Islamic developing nations such as Turkey, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
On December 19, the D-8 summit itself will take place, focusing on the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Shaping the Future Economy.” The spokesperson highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities to address regional issues during these gatherings. Additionally, there will be a special meeting for leaders on the summit’s sidelines to discuss regional matters, including the situations in Palestine and Lebanon.
This visit marks a significant return for an Iranian president to Egypt, the first since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s attendance at an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in 2013. Diplomatic relations between Iran and Egypt have been strained since 1980, but there has been a noticeable thaw since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Amidst regional tensions, including violence in Gaza, both nations have increased their diplomatic contacts, with Egypt seeking to assume a mediating role between conflicting parties.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which includes countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt, and Turkey, serves as a platform for economic collaboration among developing Islamic nations. Since its inception, the D-8 has aimed to enhance trade, technology cooperation, and collaboration on critical global issues. Egypt’s hosting of the D-8 summit signals a renewed focus on inter-governmental cooperation, particularly in the context of youth empowerment and economic innovation, which are vital for sustainable development in member countries. Historical tensions between Iran and Egypt stem from divergent political trajectories following Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 and Egypt’s subsequent peace agreement with Israel, which led to severed diplomatic ties. The events of the past decade suggest a potential for renewed dialogue between the two nations, particularly in light of their shared interests in regional stability and economic collaboration.
The upcoming visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Egypt and the participation in the D-8 summit represent a significant step in the evolving relationship between Iran and Egypt. With a focus on youth and economic development, the summit aims to foster collaboration among member nations while addressing critical regional issues. This diplomatic engagement underscores the broader geopolitical dynamics at play and the prospects for deeper cooperation among developing Islamic nations, especially within the context of ongoing regional challenges.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
