Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, took part in the fourth joint ministerial meeting between Egypt and the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The meeting was held virtually on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with the participation of GCC foreign ministers and chaired by Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Bahrain’s foreign minister and current head of the GCC Ministerial Council. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the GCC, also attended.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s firm support for the Gulf states and expressed solidarity with them following what he described as unjustified attacks carried out by Iran in recent days.
He affirmed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any justifications for violating the sovereignty or resources of the Gulf countries, as well as Jordan and Iraq.
The Egyptian foreign minister also offered condolences for those killed in the attacks and wished a swift recovery to the injured, reaffirming Egypt’s strong condemnation of the incidents. Abdelatty emphasized that Arab national security is indivisible, adding that the security of the Gulf region forms an essential part of Egypt’s and the wider Arab world’s security.
He further underlined Egypt’s support for its Arab partners during what he described as a sensitive moment for the region.
During the meeting, Abdelatty also affirmed the urgent need to de-escalate tensions, restore calm and prioritize diplomatic efforts and dialogue. He warned of the risks of the conflict expanding and potentially pushing the region toward broader instability.
In the same connection, the minister highlighted the importance of safeguarding freedom of international maritime navigation, rejecting any attempts to disrupt it, as such actions would threaten regional stability and global trade routes.
Abdelatty called for strengthening Arab collective security mechanisms and enhancing joint cooperation among Arab states. He urged accelerating practical steps to protect the sovereignty and security of Arab countries, including the Gulf states, and suggested activating the 1950 Joint Defense and Economic Cooperation Treaty of the Arab League and establishing a joint Arab force capable of addressing regional threats. He also rejected the imposition of any external regional security arrangements on Arab states.
Meanwhile, GCC foreign ministers and the council’s secretary-general expressed appreciation for Egypt’s positions and welcomed Cairo’s clear condemnation of the attacks against the Gulf states. They praised Egypt’s solidarity and its supportive stance during the current crisis.
They also commended Egypt’s continued support for the Palestinian cause and its broader role in strengthening Arab cooperation and maintaining regional security and stability.
The ministers also reviewed the growing institutional ties between Egypt and the GCC, noting the progress achieved since the signing of the memorandum of understanding on political consultations and the adoption of the Joint Action Plan for 2024–2028.
They said the Egyptian-Gulf Trade and Investment Forum held in Cairo last November helped boost momentum toward deeper economic integration between the two sides.
Participants stressed the importance of advancing Egypt–GCC relations toward a comprehensive strategic partnership that would further enhance cooperation in economic, trade and investment fields and deliver tangible benefits for the peoples of the region.
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