Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to explore ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and to consult on regional developments. The talks covered escalating military tensions in the Middle East, the Palestinian issue, Sudan, Lebanon, the Horn of Africa, and Egypt’s water security.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tameem Khallaf stated that both ministers praised the depth of the strategic partnership spanning over four decades, highlighting its role in advancing mutual interests and supporting regional stability. They expressed a shared commitment to further developing bilateral ties.
On the economic front, Abdel-Aati emphasized the importance of boosting trade and investment cooperation, presenting Egypt’s opportunities for attracting new American investments. He announced plans for Cairo to host the second “Egypt-US Economic Forum” in June 2026, in coordination with the US Chamber of Commerce, aimed at expanding economic partnerships.
The ministers also discussed US-Iran negotiations, with Rubio briefing Abdel-Aati on the latest developments. On the Palestinian issue, they reviewed the situation in Gaza, the implementation of the second phase of the US President’s plan, and ongoing Israeli violations in the West Bank.
Regarding Sudan, Abdel-Aati stressed the need to preserve Sudan’s unity and institutions, calling for a Sudanese-owned political process to end the conflict. Both ministers agreed on the importance of a humanitarian truce as a step toward a sustainable ceasefire.
The talks also addressed Lebanon, where Abdel-Aati underscored the need to halt repeated Israeli attacks, respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, and empower national institutions, particularly the army. On the Horn of Africa, he reaffirmed Egypt’s position on respecting the sovereignty of regional states, especially Somalia and Eritrea. Concerning water security, the minister reiterated that the Nile is a lifeline for Egypt, rejecting unilateral measures on transboundary rivers.
Rubio commended Egypt’s role in promoting regional stability and reaffirmed the value of the strategic partnership. Both ministers agreed to maintain close consultation and coordination in the coming period on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
