Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdel-Aati, held a phone call on Saturday with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss the rapidly unfolding regional developments.
According to the Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the two ministers exchanged views on how to address the current situation and limit further escalation.
Both sides agreed on the need to intensify international efforts to prevent the region from sliding into a comprehensive regional war.
They also stressed the importance of maintaining coordination to support de-escalation and advance diplomatic efforts, taking into account the serious economic and security repercussions of the conflict on the region and the wider world.
The discussion also touched on developments in Lebanon.
Minister Abdel-Aati stressed the need for an immediate halt to Israeli violations and attacks on Lebanese territory, reiterating Egypt’s categorical rejection of any infringement on Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
French support for EU’s financial support
On another front, Abdel-Aati expressed Egypt’s hope for France’s support in expediting the disbursement of the second tranche of the European Union’s financial support package to Egypt to help support the state budget.
He noted that the assistance is needed to address the economic repercussions of the ongoing escalation, including rising energy and food prices as well as increased shipping and maritime insurance costs.
The two ministers agreed to continue close coordination within the framework of the strategic relations between Egypt and France, and to work jointly to promote diplomacy and reduce regional tensions.
