On Thursday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atti welcomed Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, for discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Egypt and the European Union, alongside key regional issues.
During the meeting, Tamim Khlaaf, the official spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, reported that Abdel Atti expressed his appreciation for Metsola’s visit, highlighting the positive developments in Egypt-EU relations since they were upgraded to a strategic partnership on March 17, 2024.
Abdel Atti emphasized the importance of strengthening this partnership, particularly through enhanced parliamentary dialogue. He also underscored the urgency of implementing various components of the strategic partnership, especially in the economic sector, while expressing hope for the swift approval of a second €4 billion tranche from the EU’s funding package for Egypt.
Investment and Economic Opportunities
The Foreign Minister welcomed the success of the Egypt-European investment conference held in June 2024, marking it as a significant step in the new strategic partnership. He reaffirmed the promising opportunities for the Egyptian economy and highlighted Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for manufacturing, trade, renewable energy, and services, which could help address global supply chain challenges.
Commitment to Counterterrorism
Abdel Atti praised the ongoing cooperation between Egypt and the EU in the fight against terrorism, noting Egypt’s joint presidency of the Global Forum on Counterterrorism with the EU as a testament to their collaborative efforts.
Addressing Regional Crises
The discussions also addressed critical regional developments, particularly in Gaza. Abdel Atti reiterated Egypt’s commitment to facilitating a ceasefire, securing the release of prisoners, and ensuring humanitarian aid access to the affected areas. He stressed the need for recognizing the Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of a comprehensive political process in Syria that includes all Syrian factions. On the situation in Lebanon, he called for a Lebanese consensus to resolve the ongoing presidential vacancy, emphasizing the need for a purely national solution without external interference.
Support for Regional Stability
Abdel Atti also took the opportunity to reiterate Egypt’s support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Sudan and Somalia, along with Egypt’s defined stance on water security issues.
As Egypt continues to navigate these complex regional dynamics, the discussions with the European Parliament mark a crucial step towards bolstering partnerships and addressing shared challenges in the region.
