On December 27, 2024, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre issued a significant joint statement after their meeting on December 9, 2024, in Oslo. Their discussions emphasized the longstanding diplomatic ties between Egypt and Norway, dating back to 1936, and highlighted their mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral relationships rooted in goodwill and cooperation.
According to the joint statement, both leaders underscored their resolve to hold regular political consultations on matters of shared interest. This effort aims to strengthen their partnership to achieve common goals surrounding stability, peace, and prosperity. Importantly, the leaders reiterated their dedication to international law, humanitarian principles, and national sovereignty.
Worried about the deteriorated situation in the Middle East—especially the plight of civilians—El Sisi and Støre condemned the renewed violence, calling for immediate and substantial measures to restore peace. They stated, "We expressed our deep concern about the situation in the Middle East, including the immense suffering of civilians and the urgent humanitarian needs." This was much more than mere rhetoric; the leaders placed significant emphasis on breaking the violent cycles currently affecting Gaza and its surroundings.
Highlighting their concerns, they called for urgent action, including enforcing humanitarian aid access and facilitating ceasefires. They condemned all violations of international humanitarian law, asserting, "We reaffirmed the urgent need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and prisoners..." Norway, particularly, cited its condemnation of Hamas's terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and called for the release of hostages taken during this event.
The joint statement also spotlighted the humanitarian crisis by emphasizing Israel's obligations under international law to enable safe humanitarian access for aid to Gaza. "We affirmed Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law to allow and facilitate the safe access of humanitarian aid through all routes..." they stated.
Concerns extended beyond Gaza and included the rising violence against Palestinians. The leaders also condemned increased settler violence and military incursions within the West Bank, underscoring their objection to the forced displacement of Palestinians.
The statement made it clear they are keeping close tabs on developments affecting Lebanon, too. Both leaders expressed approval of the recent ceasefire declaration there and urged strict compliance by all involved parties.
Addressing the broader humanitarian outreach, they expressed their disappointment about Israel's constraining policies on UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations. According to their statement, the new legislation passed by Israel's Knesset, if enacted, could halt UNRWA's operations, thereby jeopardizing support and aid for thousands of civilians. They stated, "We also expressed our deep concern about the systematic obstruction imposed by Israel on UNRWA and other organizations providing aid..."
Still, the leaders showed visible support for the Palestinian Authority's efforts to address the significant challenges facing them. El Sisi and Støre firmly believed it was necessary to unify Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority's governance to fortify the Palestinian state and strengthen its foundation. They stated, "We underscored the necessity of unifying Gaza and the West Bank under Palestinian Authority control..."
Both leaders reiterated the importance of establishing the Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders and recognized East Jerusalem as its capital. They shared insights on the necessity of resolving long-standing territorial disputes. "We agreed on the pivotal need for Israel to undertake assessments for the services rendered to its people, including full cooperation with the Palestinian Aid Coordination Committee," they emphasized.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to seeking political unity and stabilization of the region through negotiations aimed at creating lasting solutions. "Ending the occupation of Palestinian territories and implementing the two-state solution... is key for stability," they concluded, indicating their alignment with international law and United Nations resolutions.
Lastly, the leaders agreed to collaborate on future initiatives aimed at fostering the two-state solution through shared dialogue and coordinated efforts. Their joint statement signals not just cooperation between Egypt and Norway, but also reflects broader aspirations for enhanced stability and peace across the region—qualities severely tested by the prolonged conflicts.
