Egypt: Serbia defending rights

Egyptian Ambassador to Belgrade Adel Ahmed Naguib says that Egypt will support Serbia’s initiative at the UN General Assembly. “Everyone knows of the golden age of friendship between Yugoslavia and Egypt in the 1950s. But there are many who might not know that our relations began back in the 1920s,” Naguib told daily Vecernje Novosti. Egypt: Serbia defending rights Egypt is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League and the Non-Aligned Movement. “As far as the Kosovo question is concerned, it is of a completely principled nature for us. We deeply respect international law. Our position is, therefore, clear from the beginning: we respect Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we believe that an agreement should be found to satisfy both sides. It has to be win-win outcome, so that no one ends up being the loser,” the Egyptian ambassador said. Asked whether Egypt’s stance came from the fear that similar scenarios were possible in its own country or region, Naguib said that Egypt did not have those kinds of problems. “Every country has the right to do what it wants, everyone has their own interests. Kosovo was recognized by 47 countries, but there are 192 countries in the world, which means they are still in the minority,” Naguib underlined. He said that he did not want to make any predictions as to how countries from the Arab League or OIC would vote. “Minister [Vuk] Jeremic recently addressed the countries of the Arab League in Cairo, we said how we would act, and now it is up to each country to take its own decision. I am hopeful that the Serbian initiative will pass through the UN General Assembly,” he said.

Egypt: Serbia defending rights

Egypt is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League and the Non-Aligned Movement.

“As far as the Kosovo question is concerned, it is of a completely principled nature for us. We deeply respect international law. Our position is, therefore, clear from the beginning: we respect Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we believe that an agreement should be found to satisfy both sides. It has to be win-win outcome, so that no one ends up being the loser,” the Egyptian ambassador said.

Asked whether Egypt’s stance came from the fear that similar scenarios were possible in its own country or region, Naguib said that Egypt did not have those kinds of problems.

“Every country has the right to do what it wants, everyone has their own interests. Kosovo was recognized by 47 countries, but there are 192 countries in the world, which means they are still in the minority,” Naguib underlined.

He said that he did not want to make any predictions as to how countries from the Arab League or OIC would vote.

“Minister [Vuk] Jeremić recently addressed the countries of the Arab League in Cairo, we said how we would act, and now it is up to each country to take its own decision. I am hopeful that the Serbian initiative will pass through the UN General Assembly,” he said.