Abou El-Enein Elected PA-UfM President, Stresses Gaza Ceasefire and Two-State Solution

Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament Mohamed Abou El-Enein has been unanimously elected as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM), succeeding Spanish Parliament President Francina Armengol. His election was backed by 43 parliamentary leaders across the Mediterranean, reflecting strong confidence in Egypt’s regional role. 

In his inaugural address, Abou El-Enein outlined Egypt’s strategic vision for confronting crises that continue to destabilize the Mediterranean. He commended the Assembly’s efforts to enhance regional integration and cooperation, but warned that instability—especially Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza—remains a serious threat to collective progress  

Describing Israel’s actions as “brutal aggression” that amounts to genocide, Abou El-Enein accused Israel of seeking to expand regional conflict and obstruct diplomatic solutions. He reaffirmed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, stressing President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s unwavering support for a two-state solution  

“A just and lasting peace in the Middle East is a prerequisite for genuine regional cooperation,” Abou El-Enein said, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also praised President El-Sisi’s handling of regional tensions involving Israel and Iran, describing Egypt as a stabilizing force in the face of growing challenges  

Several Assembly members echoed Cairo’s position, condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and voicing support for Egypt’s opposition to displacement. They reiterated that the two-state solution remains the foundation for lasting peace. Leaders also praised Egypt’s early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza as a constructive contribution to stability  

Abou El-Enein emphasized that Egypt’s diplomatic approach—parliamentary and governmental—prioritizes dialogue, cooperation, and consensus-building. He noted that Egypt assumes the PA-UfM presidency at a critical juncture for the Euro-Mediterranean region, which is confronting both security risks and pressing development needs 

The Egyptian parliamentary leader thanked Spain for its stewardship of the Assembly over the past term and reaffirmed Egypt’s longstanding commitment to the PA-UfM’s mission. He stressed that the Assembly serves as a central platform for dialogue and coordination among Mediterranean partners, particularly in times of conflict and uncertainty  

Parliamentary leaders across the region expressed confidence in Egypt’s leadership under President El-Sisi and voiced support for Abou El-Enein’s presidency, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen collective stability, cooperation, and peace-building