Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, met with the UK Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Jenny Chapman, to discuss enhancing cooperation on the African continent and exchange views on regional issues of mutual interest.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of continuing to build on the growing momentum in bilateral relations between the two countries. He highlighted the need to explore ways to advance these relations in political, economic, and trade fields, while also increasing British investments in Egypt, particularly given the improved investment climate due to recent economic and structural reforms.
Minister Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt's commitment to cooperation with African countries, focusing on priority projects, transferring successful national development experiences, especially in infrastructure, and strengthening public-private partnerships. He cited the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam in Tanzania as a model for Egyptian-African development cooperation and spoke about the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development's openness to enhancing trilateral cooperation mechanisms with international partners within the continent.
Regarding Sudan, Minister Abdelatty briefed the British Minister on the latest developments and Egypt's efforts within the Quad Mechanism. He stressed the importance of reaching a humanitarian truce, leading to a comprehensive ceasefire and an inclusive political process with full Sudanese ownership. He emphasized establishing safe humanitarian corridors for aid and reiterated Egypt's position in support of Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and institutional integrity.
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister highlighted the need to support the unity and sovereignty of Somalia and the urgency of funding the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). He discussed the deployment of Egyptian forces within the mission and Egypt's commitment to combating terrorism and extremism in West Africa and the Sahel region. He affirmed Egypt's readiness to engage in trilateral cooperation to enhance regional security and stability, promoting sustainable development on the continent.
The British Minister expressed appreciation for Egypt's growing role in supporting development and stability in Africa. She commended Egypt's approach of integrating security and development and strengthening sustainable economic partnerships. She affirmed the UK's interest in coordinating with Egypt on regional issues, particularly in Sudan, Somalia, and the Sahel region, and looked forward to enhancing trilateral cooperation to support stability, development, and capacity building in Africa.