Nicosia, April 24 (QNA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi affirmed Friday the necessity of full commitment to freedom of navigation and the importance of securing international waterways, considering it a firmly established and stable principle of international law.

In a speech delivered during the consultative meeting between leaders of Arab states and the European Union (EU) in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, Al Sisi highlighted that the Middle East region is rife with crises and conflicts that threaten stability and development.

He stressed that the political path remains the only acceptable way out of the current situation and to achieve sustainable stability.

He noted that the Iranian crisis has cast a shadow over the entire international situation, with serious repercussions for regional stability, maritime traffic, and the global economy, particularly energy and food security and prices, and the disruption of supply chains, in addition to the potential threat of nuclear contamination, which is a catastrophe in itself.

Regarding the Palestinian situation, the Egyptian President stressed the necessity of the Palestinian people remaining on their land and the importance of concerted efforts to halt settlement activity, prevent any attempts to displace them or liquidate the Palestinian cause, and compel the Israeli occupation to fulfill its obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

He also emphasized the commitment of all parties to proceed with the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Furthermore, he urged the European Union (EU) and its member states to continue supporting the Palestinian cause and not allow it to be relegated in the list of priorities. He stressed that there is no alternative to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. (QNA)