Egypt’s Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to ensuring a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of upholding all its provisions. His remarks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region and prevent further escalation.
On Sunday, Abdelatty met with Dubravka Šuica, the European Commissioner for Mediterranean Affairs, for political consultations on Egyptian-European relations and the latest regional and international developments of mutual interest.
During the meeting, the minister welcomed the creation of the EU position dedicated to Mediterranean affairs, describing it as a positive step reflecting the EU’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Egypt. He expressed Egypt’s eagerness to work closely with the European Commissioner to advance strategic partnership goals, particularly in economic cooperation, and highlighted Egypt’s anticipation for the approval of the second tranche of the EU financial package worth €4 billion.
The discussions also covered investment opportunities, with Abdelatty emphasizing Egypt’s priority of attracting European investments. He presented Egypt’s economic zones, particularly the Suez Canal Economic Zone, as a global logistics hub and a key destination for international investors. He also pointed to opportunities for collaboration in energy security, stressing Egypt’s role in supporting Europe’s energy needs.
On migration, Abdelatty underscored the need for a comprehensive approach that links migration with development, addressing the root causes of irregular migration while enhancing partnerships in legal migration. He outlined Egypt’s significant role in hosting millions of refugees and migrants and the heavy economic and social burdens the country bears as a result.
Regional developments were also a key focus of the consultations, particularly the situation in Gaza. Abdelatty briefed Šuica on Egypt’s continued efforts to maintain the ceasefire and support reconstruction plans for Gaza, which have garnered broad Arab and Islamic backing. He expressed hope for stronger EU support for Egypt’s mediation efforts and reiterated the importance of achieving a lasting political solution that leads to an independent Palestinian state as the only viable path to peace in the region.
Beyond Gaza, the discussions touched on other critical regional issues. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and stability, stressing the importance of a comprehensive political process that includes all Syrian factions.
On Lebanon, he welcomed the Lebanese government gaining parliamentary confidence, describing it as a crucial step toward security and stability. He reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for Lebanon and emphasized the need for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the south.
On Sudan, the minister highlighted Egypt’s strong ties with its southern neighbor and its unwavering support for Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stressed Egypt’s commitment to humanitarian efforts for the Sudanese people amid ongoing challenges. Regarding Libya, he called for an urgent resolution to the political crisis, the formation of a unified government, and the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections. He also underscored the necessity of ending foreign interference in Libya to restore its sovereignty and stability.
The European Commission, through Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, expressed strong support for Egypt’s ceasefire plan in Gaza. She acknowledged Cairo’s diplomatic efforts and confirmed the EU’s willingness to cooperate in implementing measures that promote peace and stability in the region.
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