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00:00It's an interesting time in our region. Biden is delivering onTrump's plan to leave Afghanistan. That is done. What does that mean for the Middle East for you. Well certainlythe ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq has burdened the region quite substantially over the years. And the departure ofcourse from Afghanistan has its ramifications and will be followed and deliberated upon within the context of the Arabregion. Tomorrow we have a meeting of the ministerial Arab League and that issue will will come will be the focus ofdiscussions between the ministers. Undoubtably a transformation of this nature and this magnitude will have interestingrepercussions. And we await to see what those repercussions are in terms of how the new Taliban government will operate how itwill sustain the commitments that it has made and how we can have a security and the stability of the region within the newlyexisting situation. What do you see this as a disengagement by the Biden administration making this region more unstable. No Idon't think the United States as a superpower as a power with both interests and very deep relationships with the countries ofthe Middle East is in a position or can disengage. I think it will continue to rely on its traditionalrelationships and partnerships among them with Egypt a strategic ally and will continue to extract its interests and also providethe security and the stability that the region needs. My assessment as I got on the plane to come to Cairo is there isa tectonic shift in discussions between the nations here in the Middle East. Would you describe that between yourselves and andTurkey the UAE and Turkey. There is in my mind a tectonic shift. Do you agree. Not necessarily. I agree that the region isundergoing a very turbulent and volatile situation where there has been of course conditions that have not been readilycontributing to the peace and security of the region. We have conflicts in Libya in Yemen and of course the situation ofterrorism and the threats. The current situation in Syria and Lebanon these are all issuesthat have to be addressed. And I think it is in the best interests of the nations of the region to expand thecommunications and the understandings that can provide for the security and stability. You're about to enter round two ofdiscussions with Turkey Egypt Turkey upgrade the bilateral relationship.What does that mean. Will you restore diplomatic ties at this stage. This is a second round of exploratory talks between Egyptand Turkey. This comes at the invitation of the Turkish government.We have been eager to find a resolution and to find the necessary formula for re regaining the normal relations betweenthe two countries. But I think at this stage we still have to evaluate the outcome of this second round of discussions andprimarily the context of the bilateral relations bilateral relations and certain measures that were taken by Turkey need tobe somehow addressed. And when we are satisfied that those issues have been resolved that will open the door for furtherprogress. I have a lot to get through and time of course is a natural enemy. But what if I say to you in a succinct way whatdo you need to see from the tax to move forward to restore bilateral relations. What would that be. We have provided Turkeywith a with our. Assessment and ourrequirements. I think they they very well comprehend and can fulfill all of these issues and we hope that they do so that wecan move forward. On the Renaissance Dam it's a very contentious issue obviouslyand you've tried to arbitrate with Ethiopia and several times President Sisi has said all options are on the table includingmilitary action. Sir are you prepared to take military action against Ethiopia.Oh the president has never indicated that he would be taking military action. But I think the terminology has always beenthat for any country. All options are always open and we have committed ourselves to the negotiating process. We have endorsedthe negotiations over the last 10 years and we have supported the negotiations of the African Union under the chairmanship ofPresident Tshisekedi and continue to seek an enhanced role for the observers to help the parties to find the resolution. Wouldyou do everything to avoid conflict. Definitely. I think nobody seeks conflict. We have been committed over 10 years to apeaceful resolution of this issue based on international law based on best practice. And I think we still would see that thepolitical will of the Ethiopian government is demonstrated by signing an agreement.

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U.S. Can’t Disengage From Middle East, Egypt’s Shoukry Says

Egypt Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry discusses U.S. involvement in the Middle East after pulling out of Afghanistan, conflicts within the region, and steps toward restoring relations with Turkey. He speaks with Manus Cranny on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” (Source: Bloomberg)

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