Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigrations and Expatriates Badr Abdel-Aati reiterated on Monday that countries of the Mediterranean are facing serious security and political challenges, particularly in light of the real threat to peace and security in the Middle East region as a result of the year-long aggression against the Gaza Strip, and the blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Abdel-Aati reiteration came in a speech he delivered at the opening session of the 10th edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogues Conference, held in Rome.
The conference is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and the Institute for International Policy Studies (ISPI), said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf.
Minister Abdel-Aati outlined to the assembly Egypt’s position that is based on the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, the release of hostages and detainees, and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid.
He also stressed the importance of the transition to finding a political horizon to implement the two-state solution, noting that Cairo will host a “Call for Action” conference to strengthen the humanitarian response in Gaza. The conference is scheduled for December 2.
“The Mediterranean region has significant economic potential that should be utilized within the framework of a real partnership between countries of the Mediterranean with the view to achieving mutual interests,” he added
Regarding the unresolved issue of migration, Dr Abdel-Aati reassertedEgypt’s full commitment to combating illegal migration within the framework of a comprehensive approach that addresses its root causes.
He also underlined the importance of including the development dimension in examining this issue, and enhancing regular migration pathways.
On the sidelines of the Rome Mediterranean Dialogues Forum that kicked off in Italian capital yesterdayand runs till tmorrow, FM Abdel-Aatiheld separate meetings with his French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu , Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and North Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunsk.
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