Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday to discuss growing regional tensions and diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.
According to a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry, the two officials spoke by phone about the rapidly evolving security situation in the Middle East and stressed the importance of prioritizing diplomacy and political solutions over military confrontation.
Both sides expressed concern over the intensifying violence across the region and warned of the potential consequences if the conflict continues to expand. Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s firm rejection of attacks targeting several regional states, including Gulf countries, as well as Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, describing such actions as unacceptable and destabilizing.
The Egyptian minister also warned of what he described as the serious and potentially catastrophic consequences of an expanding cycle of violence, cautioning that wider conflict could threaten both regional and international peace and security.
Alongside the security discussions, the two officials reviewed the growing partnership between Egypt and the European Union, highlighting progress in cooperation across economic, political, and security sectors.
Abdelatty stressed the importance of increasing European investment in Egypt, facilitating access for Egyptian exports to European markets, and strengthening cooperation with the private sector to advance shared economic interests.
The conversation also addressed the framework of the Egypt-EU Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, which was launched in March 2024 to expand collaboration in areas including economic development, migration management, energy cooperation, and regional security.
The partnership was announced during a summit in Cairo attended by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Ursula von der Leyen, alongside several European leaders. The initiative reflects Europe’s view of Egypt as a key partner in maintaining stability in the Mediterranean and the wider region.
As part of the agreement, the European Union unveiled a financial support package worth approximately €7.4 billion for the period between 2024 and 2027. The programme includes €5 billion in macro-financial assistance, €1.8 billion in investment support and guarantees, and around €600 million in grants, including funding aimed at migration-related programmes.
EU officials say the initiative is designed to support Egypt’s economic reform efforts, encourage private-sector development, promote renewable energy projects, and create new employment opportunities, while also strengthening cooperation on migration management and regional security.
The European Union remains Egypt’s largest trading partner, accounting for roughly one-third of the country’s total foreign trade. Both sides agreed during the call to maintain close coordination under the strategic partnership framework, emphasizing that diplomatic engagement remains essential to preventing further instability across the region.
