Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty received on Thursday Portuguese Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel for expanded talks on strengthening Egyptian-Portuguese relations and exchanging views on a range of regional and international developments.
Minister Abdelatty underscored the importance of capitalising on the promising investment opportunities available in the Egyptian market, highlighting the incentives and advantages offered by the Suez Canal Economic Zone and its strategic access to Arab and African markets.
He stressed the need to further deepen economic and investment co-operation and strengthen engagement between the business communities of Egypt and Portugal.
The two ministers agreed on the importance of convening the second session of the Egyptian-Portuguese Joint Committee during the first quarter of 2027, while working to activate the Egyptian-Portuguese Business Council and Business Forum.
These steps are intended to expand commercial ties, encourage investment and create new opportunities for co-operation across a range of sectors.
Minister Abdelatty, for his part, emphasised the importance of maintaining close co-ordination and consultation with Portugal within multilateral frameworks, particularly following Portugal’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
He further highlighted the importance of continued Egyptian-Portuguese co-ordination within the broader Egypt-European Union relationship, particularly following the elevation of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.
The discussions also covered a number of pressing regional issues, with particular attention given to developments in the Gaza Strip.
In this respect, Minister Abdelatty reviewed Egypt’s intensive efforts to advance implementation of the first phase of the peace plan and facilitate the transition to its second phase, including the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the provision of full and sustainable humanitarian access, and support for early recovery and reconstruction efforts.
He further stressed the importance of empowering the National Committee for the Management of Gaza as part of preparations for the Palestinian Authority to resume its full responsibilities in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The talks also addressed developments in Sudan, Libya, Syria and Lebanon, with Minister Abdelatty reaffirming Egypt’s position on the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions and political settlements to regional crises, while respecting national institutions and the sovereignty of states.
He underlined the need for concerted efforts to safeguard regional security and stability and prevent further deterioration into broader cycles of instability.
The two sides welcomed the strong and longstanding relations between Egypt and Portugal and affirmed their shared commitment to expanding co-operation across various fields.
They also stressed the importance of increasing the frequency of high-level mutual visits and bilateral consultations, with a view to giving further momentum to relations between the two countries and opening new avenues for partnership.
