Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty met with Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, Sunday, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, as part of the regular communication to discuss the latest developments in the region.
Ambassador Tamim Khlaaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the two ministers discussed the developments in Lebanon, where the Foreign Minister reaffirmed Egypt’s firm stance against any infringement on Lebanon’s sovereignty and the unity and territorial integrity of the country.
He also reiterated Egypt’s support for Lebanon’s national institutions in fully assuming their responsibilities to maintain Lebanon’s security and stability, stressing the importance of regional and international efforts to prevent and contain escalation and reject any violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
The spokesperson added that the Foreign Minister commended France’s supportive stance on the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of implementing the recent UN Security Council resolution concerning Gaza and the need for the international stabilization force to carry out its duties.
He also highlighted the importance of solidifying the ceasefire and looking forward to France’s active participation in the International Conference for Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza, which will be hosted by Egypt.
Regarding the developments in Sudan, the Foreign Minister reiterated Egypt’s longstanding position in support of Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity, and the preservation of its national institutions.
He also emphasized Egypt’s total rejection of any attempts to divide the country or undermine its stability. The minister stressed the need for international efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, create conditions for launching a political process, and provide safe havens and humanitarian corridors to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
He reviewed Egypt’s efforts within the Quadruple Mechanism to support de-escalation and achieve a ceasefire.
On another front, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed the importance of continuing efforts to de-escalate tensions and build trust among the parties concerned, creating the necessary conditions to allow for real diplomatic solutions aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue that takes into account the interests of all parties and contributes to achieving regional security and stability.
Regarding bilateral relations, both ministers praised the growing momentum in Egyptian-French relations and the current phase of upgrading the relationship to a strategic partnership level.
They also commended the notable growth in trade exchange between the two countries and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, development, culture, and education.
