Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call Friday with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation and addressing escalating developments across the Middle East.
The talks reflected the growing momentum in relations between Egypt and France following the elevation of ties to a strategic partnership framework, according to diplomatic officials familiar with the discussions.
Both ministers praised the steady growth in trade exchanges and cooperation across multiple sectors, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the current pace of bilateral engagement. Barrot also welcomed the upcoming inauguration of Senghor University in Borg El Arab, describing the institution as a symbol of Egyptian-French partnership and cultural cooperation.
Regional developments dominated a significant portion of the talks, with the French foreign minister commending Cairo’s diplomatic efforts to contain regional escalation and preserve stability in the Middle East.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s position that diplomatic solutions must remain the primary path for resolving regional crises, underscoring Cairo’s support for ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran as part of broader efforts to reduce tensions and advance political settlements.
The two ministers also exchanged views on the situation in Gaza Strip, where Abdelatty stressed the importance of completing all commitments related to the first phase of the initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and moving swiftly toward implementation of the second phase.
The Egyptian foreign minister further emphasized the need for the national committee tasked with administering Gaza to begin operating from within the territory, while also calling for the rapid deployment of an international stabilization force.
On Lebanon, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Lebanese sovereignty and state institutions, condemning what he described as repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese territory. He stressed the importance of preserving Lebanon’s unity and territorial integrity while empowering national institutions to fully assume responsibility for maintaining security and stability.
The ministers concluded the discussions by agreeing to maintain close coordination under the framework of the Egyptian-French strategic partnership and continue joint efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions and supporting long-term security and stability across the region.
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