Ahead of Israel visit, Austrian minister warns of deteriorating Gaza conditions in Egypt talks - Foreign Affairs
Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger sounded the alarm over Gaza's deteriorating humanitarian conditions during high-stakes talks in Egypt on Saturday, kicking off a diplomatic tour that will next take her to Jordan and Israel.
In a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Meinl-Reisinger demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, according to a statement from the Austrian foreign ministry.
She urged unhindered access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, where Israel has been blocking food, water, and medical aid for months, putting the strip's 1.9 million population, including children, at risk of famine.
Separately, Egypt's foreign ministry stated that Abdelatty briefed Meinl-Reisinger on Cairo's ongoing efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian and relief aid deliveries to the strip.
He reaffirmed Egypt's steadfast commitment to the two-state solution, emphasising the need for a political path to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
This, he asserted, is the 'sole viable route' to achieving peace, security, and stability in the region.
Egypt's top diplomat also raised concerns about escalating dangers in the West Bank, citing continued Israeli military operations and settler violence against Palestinian civilians.
Both ministers highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in both Gaza and the West Bank, according to the Egyptian statement.
The Austrian minister's program in Egypt included a visit to the Red Crescent's operational area, where relief supplies for Gaza are collected and packaged, the Austrian statement said.
She later told reporters that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is 'unbearable.'
She noted that for the EU, the resumption of aid deliveries to Gaza is crucial, but also acknowledged what she called 'Israel's security concerns,' according to media reports.
Furthermore, she added that Israel severing ties with UNRWA — the main UN agency for Palestinian refugees — was 'not acceptable at this stage.'
The EU must start talks with Israel, the minister said, adding that there must be progress by the next EU meeting on the issue.
According to Austrian media, Meinl-Reisinger will land in Jordan on Sunday and then in Israel the following day for meetings with Jordanian and Israeli officials.
Egypt-Austria ties
The Egyptian foreign ministry stated that Abdelatty also expressed to her Austrian counterpart Egypt's keen interest in deepening all aspects of cooperation with Austria.
He emphasised the importance of building on the outcomes of recent high-level visits, most notably the Austrian Chancellor's visit to Cairo in March 2024.
The discussions highlighted opportunities for expanding cooperation in economic, trade, and investment sectors, activating the Egypt-Austria Joint Committee, encouraging Austrian investment in Egypt, and enhancing collaboration in labor organization, scientific and cultural exchange, tourism, renewable energy, and counterterrorism efforts.
After the consultations, the two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding launching a political consultation mechanism between Egypt and Austria, aimed at further developing and expanding bilateral relations.
For her part, Meinl-Reisinger said Egypt is also an indispensable partner for Austria and the European Union in combating irregular migration, according to the Austrian statement.
'Egypt is not only a popular travel destination for Austrians, but also the second most important export market in Africa and an anchor of stability in a volatile region,' the statement quoted her as saying.
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