Egypt Daily News – Egypt News.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with senior European, German and U.S. officials in Paris on November 9, using the meetings to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional crises, including Gaza, Sudan, the Nile, the Horn of Africa and security in the Red Sea.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of a ministerial gathering of the Group of Seven and partner countries hosted by France. Abdelatty met European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.
In his discussion with Kallas, Abdelatty welcomed what he described as significant progress in relations between Egypt and the European Union. He said Cairo wanted to continue working with the EU to implement the six pillars of their Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, with particular attention to attracting more European investment, improving access for Egyptian exports to European markets and strengthening private-sector partnerships.
The two officials also reviewed progress on the outcomes of the first Egypt-EU summit, held in Brussels in October, and preparations for a second summit, scheduled to take place in Egypt in the middle of next year.
Their conversation covered the conflict in Gaza and efforts to reduce regional tensions. Abdelatty stressed the need to carry out fully U.S. President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan for the territory. He and Kallas also discussed diplomatic efforts to restore calm, warning of the consequences of renewed military escalation and emphasizing negotiations and diplomacy as the means of preventing further confrontation.
Abdelatty raised Egypt’s concerns about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Nile water security, describing Nile water as an existential issue for Egypt. He rejected unilateral steps in the eastern Nile Basin that Cairo considers inconsistent with international law and stressed the importance of security and stability in the Horn of Africa without unilateral policies.
On Sudan, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s support for the country’s unity, territorial integrity and national institutions. He also addressed security in the Red Sea, calling for regional and international efforts to strengthen the capabilities of coastal states so they can help secure the strategic waterway.
The minister highlighted Egypt’s Suez and Red Sea Economic and Maritime Development Initiative, known as StREAM. The initiative is intended to provide a framework for development and infrastructure projects to support countries bordering the Red Sea.
In his meeting with Wadephul, Abdelatty focused on economic and commercial cooperation, describing opportunities in the Egyptian market and calling for increased German investment. He also discussed regular migration and labour mobility, welcoming the second Labour Mobility Forum, held in Cairo in October. Abdelatty said Egypt wanted to expand routes for Egyptian workers to enter the German labour market and supported efforts to develop sustainable arrangements for increasing their employment opportunities.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional tensions and efforts to restore calm. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations and said political and diplomatic solutions were necessary to prevent renewed military confrontations. He called for full implementation of the Gaza peace plan and warned about Israeli actions in the West Bank, including settlement expansion and attempts to impose a new reality on the ground.
Their discussion also covered the Nile, Sudan and Red Sea security. Abdelatty restated Egypt’s opposition to unilateral measures concerning the Nile and its support for Sudan’s unity and institutions. Both ministers stressed the need for regional and international coordination to strengthen the capacity of countries bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to secure the maritime corridor.
In talks with Rubio, Abdelatty discussed the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and exchanged views on regional and international developments. The two ministers focused on efforts to contain tensions and prevent a wider deterioration in regional stability. Abdelatty called for more intensive diplomatic engagement and peaceful political solutions.
They also discussed the Horn of Africa. Abdelatty underscored the importance of respecting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of states in the region, and of protecting security in both the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. He called for stronger coordination to safeguard freedom of navigation and international trade.
The Egyptian and U.S. ministers agreed to continue close consultation on regional and international issues and to build on their countries’ strategic partnership. Across the three meetings, Cairo’s message centred on diplomacy to prevent escalation, protection of vital waterways and national interests, and expanded economic cooperation with European and U.S. partners.
