Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty met Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh on Saturday to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand co-operation across various sectors.
Abdelatty highlighted the special nature of Egyptian-Libyan ties, based on longstanding historical links, shared interests and a common destiny. He reaffirmed Egypt’s firm commitment to Libya’s unity, stability and territorial integrity, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nader Zaki said.
The talks focused on expanding economic, trade, educational and cultural co-operation, as well as boosting the role of Egyptian companies in Libya’s reconstruction.
Both sides agreed to step up bilateral co-operation, increase trade and investment and remove obstacles to trade between the two countries. They also stressed the need to expand joint efforts in infrastructure development and reconstruction projects.
Abdelatty underscored the importance of preparing for the next session of the Egyptian-Libyan Joint Higher Committee to advance co-operation and serve the shared interests of both peoples.
On the maritime front, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s firm legal position on the Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum of understanding. He stressed the need to take Egyptian concerns into account in maritime boundary delimitation, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Abdelatty also reaffirmed Egypt’s support for a political solution as the only way to resolve the Libyan crisis. He called for an inclusive, Libyan-led dialogue based on broad national consensus and established reference points, foremost among them the Skhirat Agreement.
He stressed that any settlement should be reached without external interference or dictates, while preserving Libya’s unity and state institutions and working towards their unification.
