Egypt Daily News – Dr. Badr Abdel Ati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, held a session of talks today, Monday, with his counterpart Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, at the headquarters of the U.S. Department of State in Washington.
Enhancing the strategic partnership that has spanned four decades
Ambassador Tameem Khalaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the meeting addressed the overall close bilateral relations between the two countries, ways to enhance the strategic partnership that has spanned four decades, and support for cooperation in various fields to achieve common interests. Minister Abdel Ati expressed his aspiration to work with the new administration to achieve security, stability, and just and comprehensive peace in the region.
The discussions also touched on the importance of continuing to hold rounds of the Egyptian-American Strategic Dialogue regularly at the level of foreign ministers. The meeting also explored ways to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries.
The two ministers discussed the ongoing arrangements for Cairo to host the “Egypt Economic Future Forum” this year in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce, which aims to achieve a qualitative leap in trade exchange rates and increase American investments in Egypt.
The spokesperson added that the two ministers held an extensive discussion on the rapid regional developments in Gaza, Syria, Libya, Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea. Regarding the Palestinian issue, Abdel Ati affirmed the constants of the Egyptian, Arab, and Islamic position on the Palestinian cause and the importance of achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.
He expressed Egypt’s aspiration to coordinate with the U.S. administration to work towards achieving the desired just peace in the Middle East, responding to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to establish an independent state on their entire national territory.
Foreign Minister Reviews Egypt’s Efforts in Implementing the Ceasefire Agreement
In this context, Minister Abdel Ati reviewed Egypt’s efforts in implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its three stages and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He stressed the importance of accelerating the early recovery process, removing debris, and rebuilding with the presence of Palestinians in Gaza, given their steadfastness on their land and their complete rejection of displacement, supported fully by the Arab and Islamic worlds and the international community.
He also emphasized the importance of finding a political horizon that leads to a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to achieve security and stability in the Middle East region.
Situation in Sudan
The discussions also addressed the latest developments in Sudan, where Minister Abdel Ati affirmed Egypt’s supportive stance for Sudanese state institutions, the necessity of a ceasefire, and respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan.
The talks also covered developments in Syria, where Minister Abdel Ati emphasized Egypt’s full support for the Syrian people, stressing the need to respect the unity and territorial integrity of Syria and the importance of initiating a political process that does not exclude any component of Syrian society, ensuring that Syria becomes a source of stability in the region.
The discussions between the two ministers also touched on the issue of Egyptian water security, where the Foreign Minister stressed Egypt’s firm position on the necessity of reaching a legal and binding agreement for the operation of the dam without infringing on the rights of downstream states and achieving the common interests of all parties.
The talks also included an exchange of views on a number of other issues of mutual concern, including developments in Lebanon, Libya, the Horn of Africa, and maritime security in the Red Sea. It was agreed on the necessity of continuing consultation and coordination between Egypt and the United States.
