Rome: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday engaged in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to deliberate developments in Gaza and Sudan, as confirmed by the Italian Foreign Ministry.

According to Anadolu Agency, the two ministers concurred on convening the bilateral Joint Committee in Rome "as soon as possible" to progress on several issues of mutual interest, as stated in a ministry release. The discussion also touched on the situation in the Gaza Strip, occurring just days after the UN Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution concerning Washington's proposed plan.

Both ministers emphasized the significance of fortifying the ceasefire and advancing towards a "lasting peace" by revitalizing the political process. Regarding the Sudanese situation, Tajani and Abdelatty highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive ceasefire to reignite the political process and enhance humanitarian access.

Tajani also apprised his Egyptian counterpart about the initiation of the "Italy for Sudan" initiative, under which a humanitarian aid aircraft is set to depart soon for refugees in Port Sudan, with a particular focus on aiding children, in collaboration with local Christian organizations. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, since April 15, 2023, has resulted in thousands of fatalities and the displacement of millions.

Currently, the RSF controls all five states of the Darfur region in western Sudan, while the army maintains control over most of the remaining 13 states in the south, north, east, and center, including the nation's capital of Khartoum.