Egypt Calls for Urgent Activation of Red Sea Council to Strengthen Regional Security

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has stressed the need to accelerate the activation of the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, describing it as a key pillar for strengthening collective security and regional stability.

Speaking during a joint press conference with his Eritrean counterpart, Abdelatty said the current regional environment requires effective mechanisms to ensure collective security and address shared challenges facing Red Sea nations.

The foreign minister emphasized the importance of reaching consensus on practical arrangements that would enhance coordination among countries bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, noting that activating the regional council should be treated as a priority.

Abdelatty said the council could play a central role in promoting stability, safeguarding maritime security, and strengthening cooperation among member states at a time of increasing geopolitical and security challenges across the region.

The Egyptian minister also highlighted the importance of respecting the fundamental principles of international law, revealing that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Eritrean leadership share a common commitment to upholding state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity.

He stressed that both countries support adherence to international legal norms and reject any actions that undermine the sovereignty of states or threaten regional stability.

Abdelatty further underscored the importance of respecting international law governing transboundary waterways, including the Nile River, reiterating Egypt’s long-standing position against unilateral measures affecting shared water resources.

He said the protection of the rights and interests of all parties must be based on established international rules and legal frameworks, ensuring equitable and sustainable management of cross-border water resources.

The remarks came amid ongoing consultations between Egypt and Eritrea on regional security issues, including developments in the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa, and broader efforts to strengthen cooperation among regional states in addressing common political, economic, and security challenges.

Egypt has repeatedly called for greater coordination among Red Sea countries, arguing that the security and governance of the strategic waterway should remain the responsibility of the states directly bordering it. Cairo views enhanced regional cooperation as essential to maintaining stability, protecting international shipping routes, and supporting economic development across the region.