Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are set to attend the D-8 summit in Egypt on December 19, 2024, marking the first Iranian presidential visit since 2013. The meeting will focus on economic cooperation among developing Muslim nations and regional issues, with diplomatic relations between Iran and Egypt gradually warming since the Arab Spring.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is set to travel to Egypt to participate in the 21st Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8). Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei noted that this ministerial gathering will take place on December 18, a day before the D-8 summit on December 19. The foreign ministers from eight Islamic developing countries, including Iran, Turkey, and Egypt, will finalize essential documents for the summit, which aims to address economic cooperation amongst member nations.
The upcoming D-8 summit will focus on the theme “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Shaping the Future Economy.” Mr. Baghaei also highlighted the importance of leveraging multilateral meetings to discuss regional issues. A special session for leaders of the member countries will occur on the afternoon of the summit, where Iran will engage in dialogue concerning regional matters, especially the situations in Palestine and Lebanon.
Egypt is hosting this significant event amidst a backdrop of gradually improving Iranian-Egyptian relations since the Arab Spring. President Pezeshkian’s visit marks the first official attendance by an Iranian head of state in over a decade, since former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit in 2013. Historically, Egypt and Iran’s diplomatic ties have been fraught, stemming from geopolitical disagreements following the Islamic Revolution and Egypt’s recognition of Israel, which led to severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent years, however, opportunities for dialogue and cooperation have expanded, particularly in light of Egypt’s role in mediating various regional challenges.
The Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) is comprised of eight member countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. Established with the aim of promoting economic cooperation among these developing nations, the D-8 has sought to address various social and economic issues affecting its members. The summit, with a focus on youth investment and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, underscores the group’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and addressing contemporary socio-economic challenges. The expected discussions during the summit are also framed within a context of evolving geopolitical relationships, particularly given the longstanding historical tensions between Iran and Egypt.
In conclusion, President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming visit to Egypt highlights a significant moment in Iranian-Egyptian relations, emblematic of a broader trend toward dialogue after decades of estrangement. The D-8 summit serves as a platform for member countries to collaborate on pressing economic issues and discuss regional challenges, particularly amidst ongoing crises in the Middle East. This visit may bode well for future diplomatic engagements between Iran and Egypt, fostering a spirit of cooperation to address mutual concerns and enhance regional stability.
Original Source: www.presstv.ir
