Barcelona: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty stated on Friday that Cairo is committed to defending the Palestinian cause at international forums and supporting reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. These remarks were made during a meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian at the 10th Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum in Barcelona, which is part of ongoing consultations between Egypt and Palestine regarding developments in the occupied territories and efforts to halt escalation in Gaza.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khalaf noted that Abdelatty began the meeting by emphasizing the historic ties between Egypt and Palestine. He stressed that Cairo will continue to be a key supporter of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, particularly the establishment of an independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This stance was reaffirmed during a phone call between Abdelatty and Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al-Sheikh on Thursday.
The minister highlighted Egypt's ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and reiterated Egypt's opposition to any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. He stressed the importance of solidifying a ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe facing Gaza's population. Abdelatty also rejected any unilateral measures aimed at altering Gaza's demographic or geographic realities, insisting that any future arrangements must be part of a comprehensive political process that respects the unity and territorial integrity of Palestinian lands.
The spokesperson added that Abdelatty emphasized the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 on Gaza, which includes establishing an international stabilization force to ensure the ceasefire holds and facilitate the flow of aid. This is in line with the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and the related Trump plan. Abdelatty expressed appreciation for the close coordination with the Palestinian leadership and praised Palestinian efforts to maintain continuous communication with Cairo to ensure a unified position amidst current challenges.
The Palestinian foreign minister expressed deep gratitude for Egypt's pivotal and consistent support for the Palestinian people and their cause. She commended Cairo's efforts in securing a ceasefire and delivering humanitarian assistance, affirming Palestine's commitment to ongoing coordination with Egypt to bolster the resilience of the Palestinian people and support their aspirations for freedom and self-determination.