Cairo: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Sunday, marking his first official visit to Egypt. The discussions focused on bilateral ties, ways of expanding cooperation, and regional and international developments.

According to Anadolu Agency, Egypt's Foreign Ministry outlined that the talks emphasized strengthening bilateral relations and coordinating positions regarding current regional developments. Abdelatty highlighted the depth of the historical, popular, and cultural relations between Egypt and Syria, asserting that the shared heritage reflects the convergence of the will of the two brotherly peoples throughout history.

Abdelatty further reiterated Egypt's support for the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, stressing the importance of full respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, stability, and territorial integrity. He stated that since the outbreak of the Syrian crisis, Egypt's position has been rooted in clear principles aimed at supporting efforts to restore security and stability and preserve Syria's unity and national fabric.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister also called for the preservation of Syrian national institutions and rejection of any foreign interference in its internal affairs to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for comprehensive internal stability. Additionally, he expressed Egypt's categorical rejection of Israel's violations of Syrian sovereignty, criticizing attempts by Israeli forces to exploit the situation in Syria to occupy more territory and undermine its security and stability.

Israel's occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967 and its expansion into the buffer zone following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in 2024 have been points of contention. Syrians argue that these actions by Israel continue to undermine efforts to restore stability and hinder government attempts to attract investment to improve the country's economic conditions.