Latest from Middle East
Middle East
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Egyptian, French FMs stress importance of restoring Gaza ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian aid access
CAIRO, June 27 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdelatty and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stressed the urgent need to restore the ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, as living conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave continue to deteriorate. Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Tamim Khallaf, said that during a phone call on Thursday, the two ministers discussed recent developments in Gaza, following the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. During the telephone conversation, they addressed key regional developments and explored avenues to further strengthen ties between Egypt and France. Abdelatty highlighted the genuine efforts spearheaded by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to swiftly secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, underscoring the critical role of the international community in halting Israeli aggression in both Gaza and the West Bank. The ministers also addressed the issue of Palestinian state recognition, Barrot updated his Egyptian counterpart on preparations for the upcoming high-level international conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, which aims to promote a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the implementation of the two-state solution. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's firm commitment to a just and sustainable solution, grounded in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with Al Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) as its capital. The spokesperson added that the two ministers concurred on the necessity for both Iran and Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire, stressing the importance of concrete de-escalation measures to pave the way for renewed political and diplomatic initiatives. They also commended the strategic partnership between Egypt and France, reaffirming their mutual commitment to consolidating bilateral ties in all domains. (MENA) R R N/
Middle East
2 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// Egypt, Poland FMs in talks over elevating bilateral relations
CAIRO, June 26 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski expressed their desire to elevate bilateral relations during a phone call on Thursday. The contact focused on increasing trade volume and attracting more Polish investments to Egypt. Both ministers reviewed the progress in bilateral relations in recent years. They also followed up on the outcome of the Polish foreign minister's visit to Cairo in April that underscored the importance of continuing bilateral frameworks, such as the Joint Economic Committee. Abdelatty praised Poland's EU Council presidency and its support for Egypt within EU institutions. He also welcomed the European Council's approval of the second tranche (€4 billion) of the EU's financial support package for Egypt. As for the Middle East developments, the contact tackled Egypt's efforts to secure a ceasefire, and humanitarian aid access. Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's contacts to de-escalate Iran-Israel tensions, urging both sides to maintain calm for regional stability. The Polish minister lauded Egypt's role to boost security and stability in the region and its efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and maintain Iran-Israel ceasefire. (MENA) S R E
Middle East
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// President Sisi, British PM welcome Israel-Iran ceasefire
CAIRO, June 26 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, affirming the importance of resuming negotiations as the sole way for resolving the crisis peacefully. During a phone call which President Sisi received form Starmer on Thursday, both leaders emphasized the importance of avoiding further military escalation in the region, in order to ensure regional stability and prevent expansion of the conflict. The phone call underscored the strength of bilateral relations between Egypt and the UK as well as and commitment of both countries to enhancing cooperation, particularly in the economic and investment sectors, according to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el Shennawy. The UK prime minister said that he is looking forward to president Sisi's visit to London, at the invitation King Charles III, the spokesman said, adding that president also invited Starmer to visit Egypt later this year. The call touched on recent regional developments, with president Sisi calling for utilizing the current lull in tensions to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to its people, the spokesman said. He reiterated Egypt's firm stance regarding calls for ending the suffering of the Palestinian people along with urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities by working towards reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, in order to ensure the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al Quds) as its capital, the spokesman added. For his part, Starmer praised Egypt's pivotal role in promoting regional peace and stability, affirming the UK's commitment to maintaining coordination and dialogue with Egypt on key regional issues of mutual concern, the spokesman went on to say. (MENA) A A E/R G E
Middle East
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Sisi greets Egyptians, Arab, Islamic nations on new Hijri year
CAIRO, June 26 (MENA) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi greeted the Egyptian people as well as the Arab and Islamic nations on the new Hijri year 1447. On his Facebook page, the president wrote that Prophet Muhammad's migration will remain an eternal symbol of diligence, patience, and sacrifice. The president added that the prophet's migration is guideline for the drive of building an advanced nation that enjoys peace and stability. He concluded by wishing all to enjoy prosperity and welfare in the new year. Thursday, June 26, marks the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. (MENA) M N E/
Middle East
2 days ago
- Business
- Middle East
OPEN// PM: Egypt ranked 9th globally in attracting FDIs according to int'l report
NEW ALAMEIN CITY, June 25 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said on Wednesday that an international report indicated that Egypt ranked 9th globally in 2024 in terms of attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs), after previously ranking 35th. This is a positive development, and the state will continue to promote investment in the coming period, accelerate licensing processes, and provide more facilities for both foreign and local investors to encourage a favorable investment climate, Madbouli told a press conference at the government headquarters in New Alamein City following the weekly Cabinet meeting. The prime minister reassured the Egyptian people that the country's economic situation is stable, pointing out that Egypt's foreign currency resources in May matched the state's spending for the fourth month in a row. He also emphasized that Egypt is capable of meeting its needs without relying on hot money (short-term speculative capital), and that local resources now cover consumption and needs. (MENA) I S N/S R E
