FM, new US counterpart speak over phone

 Dr. Badr Abdel Atty, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, and Mr. Marco Rubio, the new US Secretary of State, spoke over phone yesterday evening as part of communication with the US administration after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20.

Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdel Atty congratulated US Secretary of State Rubio on assuming his new position.

Abdel Atty expressed his aspiration to work closely with Minister Rubio and the new US administration in order to strengthen the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States, which extends for more than four decades, and to work to raise the level of bilateral relations in all political, military, economic and development fields, in a way that meets joint Egyptian - American interests and contributes to achieving security and stability in the Middle East.

Abdel-Atty pointed out to the importance of continuing coordination between Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, stressing the importance of respecting the terms of the agreement and working to implement its stages.

He also stressed the importance of achieving a final settlement of the Palestinian cause that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution, and in a way that avoids episodes of violence between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

For his part, the US Secretary of State appreciated the Egyptian-American strategic partnership and the pivotal role played by Egypt in the Middle East region, praising the efforts made by Egypt to reach a ceasefire agreement and exchange hostages and prisoners in Gaza. 

He stressed that the new administration is keen to advance bilateral cooperation relations with Egypt in various fields during the next stage.