Egypt, Eritrea, & Somalia Hold Trilateral Ministerial Meeting to Strengthen Regional Cooperation

During a joint press conference with Osman Saleh, Eritrea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, announced an agreement to work together to support Somalia's unity and sovereignty and to provide assistance to the Somali government.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the outcomes of the Asmara Trilateral Summit held on October 10, 2024, among the presidents of Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, Dr. Abdel Aty invited Osman Saleh and Ahmed Moalim Fiqi to convene the first meeting of the Trilateral Ministerial Committee established under the summit's joint statement.

The ministers discussed the implementation steps taken as directed by the leaders at the Asmara Summit to enhance security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, while upholding the principles of international law and non-interference in domestic affairs.

The ministers welcomed progress in enhancing cooperation between their nations to ensure security in Somalia, including ongoing collaboration between Egypt and Somalia in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, and Egypt’s participation in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

They also deliberated on ways to strengthen Somali state institutions to combat terrorism, establish full territorial control, and secure the country's land and maritime borders.

Additionally, the ministers reviewed regional developments, particularly the situation in Sudan and its implications, cooperation among Red Sea littoral states, and on-the-ground conditions in Somalia. They emphasized the importance of continued diplomatic coordination among the three nations.

Dr. Abdel Aty expressed gratitude for Eritrea’s and Somalia’s support for Egypt’s candidate, Dr. Khaled El-Anany, for the position of UNESCO Director-General.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to enhance coordination and preparations for the second round of the trilateral summit between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia, which will be scheduled in the near future.