Egypt FM meets with US Senators in Washington to discuss Gaza, Sudan - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

a day ago

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, held separate meetings in Washington with US Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley to discuss the latest developments in Gaza and Sudan, as well as Egypt-US relations.
According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, both senators are prominent members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and its appropriations subcommittees.
During the discussions, Abdelatty provided a detailed overview of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and outlined Egypt's ongoing mediation efforts—carried out in coordination with the United States and Qatar—to secure an immediate ceasefire.
He emphasised the urgent need for the sustained and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the creation of conditions conducive to early recovery, and the initiation of reconstruction efforts.
The Egyptian FM reiterated Egypt's firm rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land. He stressed Cairo's unwavering support for a two-state solution that would establish an independent Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Furthermore, Abdelatty briefed the senators on Egypt's preparations to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza in partnership with the United Nations and the Palestinian government.
The meetings also addressed the crisis in Sudan. The Egyptian FM underscored the importance of reaching a ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian access to affected areas. He affirmed Egypt's support for Sudanese state institutions and emphasised the necessity of respecting Sudan's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
In his meeting with Senator Merkley, Abdelatty discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States and build on the progress achieved in various areas of bilateral cooperation.
He highlighted Egypt's role as a cornerstone of stability and security in both the Middle East and Africa. He also expressed appreciation for the senator's continued support for peace initiatives in the region.
In return, Senators Van Hollen and Merkley commended Egypt's regional role, particularly its rejection of Palestinian displacement and its mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.
They acknowledged Egypt's importance as a partner in promoting regional security, de-escalation, and humanitarian relief.
Meeting with Washington Post editorial board
According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, during his official visit to Washington, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty met with the editorial board of The Washington Post on Friday to discuss Egyptian-American relations and pressing regional issues.
Abdelatty emphasised the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States, describing it as a cornerstone of regional stability.
He stressed the importance of further advancing bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and security fields to serve mutual interests and bolster development efforts in the Middle East.
Moreover, the Egyptian FM highlighted the growing economic, trade, and investment ties between the two nations, citing the Egypt-US Business Forum held in Cairo last May. He underscored Egypt's ongoing financial and structural reforms to enhance the investment climate and boost private sector participation while showcasing the country's competitive advantages.
In addition, Abdelatty addressed Egypt's efforts to strengthen civil and political rights and alluded to key milestones in its social development agenda.
Turning to the Gaza crisis, the Egyptian FM outlined Egypt's multi-track approach, which includes facilitating humanitarian aid, coordinating with international partners—particularly the US and Qatar—to secure a ceasefire and negotiate prisoner and hostage exchanges, and paving the way for reconstruction efforts.
He reaffirmed Egypt's categorical rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians and its commitment to a comprehensive political resolution based on the two-state solution.
Moreover, Abdelatty discussed the crisis in Sudan, stressing Egypt's full support for Sudan's unity, stability, and national institutions. He also called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire. On Syria, the Egyptian FM reaffirmed that Egypt fully backs the Syrian people, stressing the need to preserve the country's territorial integrity and ensure it becomes a source of regional stability.
Finally, Abdelatty discussed developments in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. He highlighted the rising security challenges linked to terrorist organisations and armed groups there. He also shared insights from his recent tour in West Africa and underscored Egypt's strategic interest in the Sahel region as part of its broader regional security priorities.
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