Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdel Aty took part on Monday in the 5th European Union-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting, Brussels, which addressed the developments pertaining to the EU’s launch of the Mediterranean Charter.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Abdel Aty commended the EU’s commitment to strengthening co-operation with the southern Mediterranean countries.
He also emphasised Egypt’s commitment to bolstering strategic relations with the EU in various fields, pointing to the necessity of consolidating economic, trade, investment and cultural ties between the EU and southern neighbours.
Abdel Aty referred to ongoing efforts to support human development, provide new sources of financing for development, and enhancing co-operation in industrialisation, energy, transfer of technology, food and water security, IT and Artificial Intelligence.
He stressed the importance of joint ownership of the partnership between the two sides for the benefit of all parties.
Meanwhile, Abdel Aty highlighted the priority Egypt attaches to supporting security and stability in the region through peaceful settlement of regional conflicts in line with the international law and UN resolutions, foremost of which is establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as a capital.
Abdel Aty and his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel, had earlier discussed bilateral relations and key regional issues, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.
The Egyptian chief diplomat stressed keenness on improving political, economic and cultural relations between Egypt and Portugal, and welcomed the recent developments following the EU’s approval of the €4 billion second tranche of a bloc’s financial support package.
He also reviewed Egypt’s efforts, in co-operation with Qatar and the US, aiming to concluded a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, referring to a conference Cairo intends to host on reconstruction in the Strip once a ceasefire is announced.
