Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow co-chaired on Thursday the 3rd session of the Egypt-Thailand Joint Committee in Bangkok, marking a new step towards expanding bilateral cooperation.
The meeting came 20 years after the previous session was held in Cairo in 2006. It aimed to translate growing ties between the two countries into practical programmes and agreements covering trade, investment, development and culture.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nader Zaki said Minister Abdelatty highlighted the long-standing friendship and mutual trust between Egypt and Thailand, describing ties between both countries as a strong foundation for a more integrated partnership.
He also praised the participation of Princess Sirivannavari in the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, saying it reflected the deep cultural ties between the two countries.
Minister Abdelatty welcomed the outcome of the 8th round of political consultations, held in Cairo in June 2026, and stressed the importance of regular high-level visits and continued political dialogue.
He also expressed interest in holding the 9th round in Thailand and establishing additional consultation mechanisms.
Abdelatty called for a major step forward in trade and investment relations through increased trade, a more diversified trade structure and easier access for Egyptian exports to the Thai market.
He also encouraged companies to explore joint investment opportunities.
Minister Abdelatty highlighted Egypts strategic location, developed infrastructure and promising investment opportunities, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), which offers Thai companies access to African, Arab and European markets.
He stressed the need to activate the Egyptian-Thai Business Council and strengthen contacts between business communities in both countries.
He also welcomed Thailand’s initiative to relaunch the Thailand-Africa Initiative, describing it as an opportunity to expand economic and development partnerships in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Minister Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s efforts to support stability in the Middle East and advance the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan for Gaza.
He stressed the need to fulfil the commitments of the first phase, ensure unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and move forward with early recovery efforts.
Discussions also covered escalating tensions in the Middle East, energy security and supply chains.
Abdelatty called for greater efforts to de-escalate tensions, prevent the conflict from spreading and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
The talks also addressed the Ethiopian dam and Egypt’s water security, as well as developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Abdelatty described Nile water as an existential issue for Egypt and rejected unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin as they constitute a violation of the international law.
The meeting concluded with the signing of three agreements and memorandums of understanding: a joint action plan for 20272029, an MoU on cultural co-operation, and an MoU between the Egyptian Agency for Partnership for Development and the Thailand International Co-operation Agency on trilateral development cooperation.
The two sides also agreed to terminate the mutual visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, official, service and special passports.
