Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdel-Aati, stated on Friday that the 10th round of Egyptian-Philippine political consultations carries special significance. Held at the ministerial level for the first time, the meeting highlights the steady growth of bilateral relations and a shared determination to expand co-operation frameworks.
The visit marks the first by an Egyptian foreign minister to the Philippines in 80 years since diplomatic relations were established between the two nations in 1946. During the historic visit, Abdel-Aati held political consultations with Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro.
Noting that the milestone coincides with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Abdel-Aati highlighted that Egypt was among the first nations to recognise the independence of the Philippines.
Abdel-Aati conveyed greetings from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to holding regular consultations to coordinate positions on shared regional and international issues, finalize pending agreements, and elevate relations.
Emphasising the need for frequent high-level visits, Abdel-Aati praised the recent momentum in bilateral relations. He extended his best wishes to the Philippines during its current chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), expressing Egypt’s desire to participate in events marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation.
Abdel-Aati underscored that Cairo attaches growing importance to expanding ties with Asian economies. He reaffirmed Egypt’s intent to build on its institutional links with ASEAN since acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in 2016.
On the economic front, Abdel-Aati expressed Egypt’s ambition to double the volume of trade exchange with the Philippines.
He highlighted Egypt’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and network of free trade agreements — including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — which position the country as a vital gateway to African markets.
The foreign minister commended recent advancements in culture, agriculture, defense, and counter-terrorism co-operation. He highlighted the historic visit of a Philippine defense delegation to Cairo in 2025—the first military delegation sent by the Philippines to Egypt.
Turning to geopolitical developments, Abdel-Aati outlined Egypt’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East. He stressed the necessity of keeping diplomatic tracks open, protecting freedom of navigation in international waterways under international law, and protecting maritime traffic to prevent disruptions to global trade and energy security.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro expressed deep appreciation for the historic visit, affirming Manila’s strong desire to build on current momentum and expand strategic, economic, and regional coordination with Cairo.
