Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty met with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on Monday on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Nader Zaki said Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s keenness to further develop Egyptian-British relations in a way that reflects the special partnership between the two countries, with priority given to strengthening economic, trade and investment co-operation .
Abdelatty stressed the importance of building on the current momentum in bilateral relations and continuing to follow up on agreements reached under the countries’ Partnership Agreement. He also highlighted the need to facilitate Egyptian exports’ access to the British market and increase trade, while creating more opportunities for British investment in Egypt to support the shared interests and economic returns of both countries.
The two ministers also reviewed developments in a number of regional issues as part of ongoing co-ordination between Egypt and the UK. They discussed developments in Gaza and stressed the importance of moving forward with the implementation of the provisions of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
They also discussed the situation in the West Bank and the need to halt settlement activities, as well as developments related to Iran and the crisis in Yemen. The ministers addressed the implications of these developments for regional security and stability, energy security, freedom of navigation, supply chains and international trade.
The situation in Sudan was also discussed, with Abdelatty stressing the importance of preserving the country’s sovereignty and unity and safeguarding its national institutions.
The two ministers agreed to intensify close co-ordination in support of efforts to promote security and stability in the region, as well as co-operation in various international forums on issues of common interest in a way that serves the interests of both countries.
