Cairo’s role as reliable partner in confronting cross-border challenges highlighted
As part of his official visit to Washington, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdel-Aati, took part on Thursday in a high-level event hosted by the America First Policy Institute, titled “Partners in a Turbulent Region: Putting Egyptian and American Interests First Amid Escalating Crises”.
The forum brought together senior US policymakers, foreign policy experts, and regional specialists for an in-depth discussion on the complex and evolving challenges facing the Middle East and Africa. The discussion centered on identifying avenues for enhanced co-operation between Egypt and the United States as strategic partners in responding to shared security, economic, and humanitarian concerns, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ambassador Tamim Khallaf said in a statement.
He added that Minister Abdel-Aati emphasised Egypt’s unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts with the United States to address the mounting crises that impact both nations’ interests.
The discussions underscored the central role of Egypt as a key regional actor and a reliable partner in confronting cross-border challenges.Both sides acknowledged the need to bolster co-operation in a manner that serves the long-term interests of the two countries and contributes meaningfully to regional and global stability, particularly in light of the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
Also on Thursday, Minister Abdel-Aati had two separate high-level meetings with US Senator Ted Cruz, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, and Senator Chris Coons, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence and a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
At his meeting with Senator Cruz, Abdel-Aati emphasised Egypt’s central diplomatic role in addressing the humanitarian and political crisis in the Gaza Strip, detailing Cairo’s efforts, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, to broker a ceasefire, facilitate hostage and prisoner exchanges, and ensure sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
He also reiterated Egypt’s firm support for a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.In addressing broader regional developments, Abdel-Aati highlighted Egypt’s efforts to resolve the ongoing crises in Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.
He underlined the strategic importance of securing navigation in the Red Sea, a vital international trade route, and warned against disruptions that could threaten global trade and regional security.Turning to water diplomacy, Abdel-Aati articulated Egypt’s concerns regarding the Nile River and its national water security.In this respect, minister Abdel-Aati firmly rejected any unilateral measures that undermine regional stability and affirmed Egypt’s right to take all necessary actions under international law to safeguard its water interests.
On regional security matters, Abdel-Aati underscored Egypt’s longstanding call for de-escalation across the Middle East and its opposition to military solutions in conflict zones. He advocated for diplomatic engagement on the Iranian nuclear issue as a means of enhancing both regional and global stability.
During his meeting with Senator Coons, Minister Abdel-Aati reaffirmed the strength and resilience of Egyptian-American relations, which span over four decades and continue to serve as a cornerstone of regional stability.He praised the constructive and ongoing engagement between Egypt and the US Congress, noting the strategic value of their partnership across political, economic, and security domains.
The minister underscored Egypt’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, and development, in a manner that reflects the shared interests of both countries, the ministry said in the second statement.
