Cairo: SiltaNews – News Desk
Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, held a series of bilateral meetings with senior international officials on Thursday. These discussions took place on the sidelines of his participation in the delegation led by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly for the first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, D.C.
Minister Abdelatty met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi, and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos.
During meetings with the US Secretary of State and the Special Envoy to the Middle East, the Foreign Minister discussed avenues to strengthen bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States. Minister Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s commitment to maintaining close coordination with the US on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
He further commended the American role and President Donald Trump’s tireless efforts to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, affirming Egypt’s support for the US president’s plan as a vital framework for consolidating a ceasefire and restoring regional stability. The side meetings also focused heavily on developments regarding the Palestinian issue. Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering position in support of a just and comprehensive settlement. He stressed the necessity of establishing a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, ensuring safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid, and adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 2803 as the governing framework for peace efforts.
He emphasized the need for a serious, credible political process leading to a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which he described as the only path to achieving lasting security for all peoples in the region. Minister Abdelatty exchanged views with Secretary Rubio and Envoy Witkoff on efforts to de-escalate tensions regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. He underscored the importance of prioritizing diplomatic and political solutions to preserve regional security. He advocated for a peaceful, consensual settlement that addresses the concerns of all parties based on mutual respect and shared benefit to avert further escalation.
Regarding the crisis in Sudan, Abdelatty briefed US officials on Egypt’s efforts to support the Sudanese state and preserve its national institutions, unity, and territorial integrity. He affirmed that Sudan’s stability remains a fundamental pillar of Egyptian and regional national security. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s full support for international efforts aimed at reaching an immediate humanitarian truce. He warned against the dangers of establishing parallel structures that threaten the unity of the Sudanese state, stressing the need to preserve official national institutions throughout the political settlement process.
The meetings also addressed regional security in the Horn of Africa. Minister Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, emphasizing the need to empower the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) through sustainable funding. He expressed a firm rejection of any parallel entities established outside internationally recognized legal frameworks. Furthermore, he asserted that the governance of the Red Sea should be limited to its riparian states, rejecting attempts by non-riparian parties to impose a role in its management. On the issue of the Nile River, Minister Abdelatty emphasized that access to water is a fundamental human right.
He stressed the necessity of adhering to international law-specifically the principles of consensus, cooperation, and the “no-harm” rule-regarding projects on shared international rivers. He advocated for integration among Nile Basin countries to achieve mutual benefit while rejecting unilateral actions that infringe upon the rights of downstream countries, thereby safeguarding Egypt’s water security. At the conclusion of these high-level meetings, Minister Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s continued commitment to consulting with regional and international partners to foster peace and enhance security across the Middle East and Africa.