Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a series of high-level consultations with European officials as Cairo steps up efforts to contain escalating regional tensions while reinforcing economic cooperation with the European Union.
In a phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Abdelatty discussed the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, focusing on the ongoing military escalation and international efforts to de-escalate the conflict. The talks come amid growing concern over the potential for the crisis to widen and destabilize the region further.
Abdelatty also held discussions with Dubravka Šuica, where the focus extended beyond political coordination to include economic and financial cooperation between Egypt and the European Union. Both sides reviewed existing partnership frameworks and explored ways to enhance collaboration in light of current global challenges.
During the conversations, the Egyptian foreign minister outlined the outcomes of recent multilateral meetings held in Islamabad involving Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. He highlighted ongoing mediation efforts led by Cairo in coordination with regional partners to promote direct negotiations between Iran and the United States, with the aim of containing the conflict and prioritizing diplomatic solutions over military escalation.
European officials emphasized the broader economic implications of the ongoing war, noting its impact on global markets, including rising energy and food prices and continued disruptions to supply chains. In this context, they pointed to existing financial and economic cooperation programs between Egypt and the EU, reaffirming their commitment to their implementation.
Abdelatty stressed that Egypt’s economy has demonstrated resilience in the face of regional and global shocks, attributing this to structural and monetary reforms implemented in recent years. He expressed confidence in the country’s ability to withstand current pressures, noting that Egypt has successfully navigated previous crises and remains committed to advancing economic reforms and maintaining a stable, investment-friendly environment.
Both sides agreed on the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation, while also working to expand strategic, economic, and financial ties between Egypt and the European Union in the period ahead.
