Egypt’s Foreign Minister Emphasizes Importance of Palestinian Territorial Unity in Talks with UK Counterpart

Badr Abdel Aty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, welcomed UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper for discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The two ministers co-chaired the third session of the Egyptian-British Partnership Council, which included representatives from various ministries such as Investment, Foreign Trade, Finance, and Planning and Economic Development.

According to Tamim Khalaf, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the council serves as a mechanism to monitor and manage the implementation of the partnership agreement signed by both countries on December 5, 2020. The meeting featured extensive discussions on enhancing bilateral relations across multiple sectors to meet the aspirations of both nations.

Minister Abdel Aty expressed a strong desire to continue supporting robust partnerships with the UK in various sectors. He emphasized the importance of increasing trade exchange and direct British investments in Egypt, which would be mutually beneficial given the promising investment opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, and financial services.

He also outlined numerous steps taken by the Egyptian government in recent years to develop the national economy and create a supportive business environment for the private sector. He highlighted that investment is a key component of economic relations between both countries and stressed the need for private sector support to enhance economic cooperation through existing joint mechanisms in Cairo and London.

Moreover, he underscored the commitment to advancing cooperation in green growth as well as educational, migration, and defense sectors.

The ministers also addressed regional and international issues of mutual interest during their talks, particularly focusing on the Palestinian cause. Minister Abdel Aty stressed the necessity of preserving territorial unity between Gaza and the West Bank while rejecting any actions that could undermine a two-state solution.

He discussed Egypt’s efforts to encourage all parties to transition to phase two of President Trump’s peace plan. This includes ensuring full and sustainable access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and deploying an international stability force to monitor ceasefire implementation while securing humanitarian access. He also mentioned empowering the National Committee for Gaza to carry out its functions from within the territory.

Additionally, he reviewed Egypt’s diligent communications and efforts with regional partners regarding U.S.-Iranian negotiations, welcoming announcements regarding a memorandum of understanding on this matter.

The ministers exchanged views on developments in Sudan and Lebanon, with Minister Abdel Aty briefing his British counterpart on Egypt’s positions regarding these issues.

In response, Secretary Cooper commended Egypt’s relentless efforts to support security and stability in the Middle East. She reaffirmed her country’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Egypt and elevating them to new heights that serve both nations’ interests. She expressed eagerness for continued coordination and close consultation within their strong ties while working together to bolster security and stability in the region.