Gazette staff
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdel-Aati, on Friday held a high-level telephone call with Dubravka Suica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, to further consolidate the burgeoning partnership between Cairo and Brussels.
The discussions, part of an ongoing consultative framework, focused on the implementation of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership and the broader security challenges currently facing the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin.
Minister Abdel-Aati hailed the current “remarkable development” in Egypt-EU relations, noting that the inaugural Egypt-EU Summit held on 22 October 2025 provided significant momentum for bilateral cooperation.
He emphasised the necessity of building upon the summit’s outcomes, particularly across the six pillars of the strategic partnership, which include economic investment, trade, and energy security.
Central to the economic discussions was the Mediterranean Pact, launched in late November. The Minister welcomed the initiative as a vital tool for regional integration and addressing shared socio-economic challenges. He specifically advocated for facilitating the entry of Egyptian exports into European markets, developing legal migration pathways and linking migration to development, and addressing the underlying drivers of irregular migration through targeted investment.
Regional stability
A significant portion of the call was dedicated to the deteriorating regional security situation. Abdel-Aatibriefed Commissioner Suica on Egypt’s tireless efforts to de-escalate tensions and its pivotal role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
Minister Abdel-Aatidetailed the requirements for the second phase of the proposed peace plan, stressing the urgency of transitioning to post-conflict arrangements. Key Egyptian priorities include the formation of a temporary Palestinian technocratic committee to manage daily affairs in the Gaza Strip, the establishment of an international stability force to maintain order, and ensuring the unhindered flow of medical and relief supplies to meet the dire needs of the population, preparing the groundwork for early recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts.
Abdel-Aatireaffirmed Egypt’s staunch rejection of any measures that would undermine Palestinian territorial integrity or lead to the division of the Gaza Strip.
The call concluded with an exchange of views on the Mediterranean Pact’s action plan, with the Minister presenting several proposed Egyptian projects and initiatives aimed at fostering regional stability. The dialogue underscores Egypt’s position as a cornerstone of European security and a key partner in the “Global Gateway” investment strategy.
