Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Thursday lauded the historical and deep-rooted ties between Egypt and Italy, describing the two countries' relationship as based on longstanding foundations of friendship, mutual respect, and shared interests.According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty made the remarks during a joint press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the conclusion of their talks at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in the New Capital. Abdelatty welcomed his Italian counterpart and his accompanying delegation during their current visit to Egypt, emphasizing the opportunity to assess the overall course of Egyptian-Italian relations, review progress, and explore ways to expand cooperation both bilaterally and within the Egypt-EU framework.The talks also included a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, addressing developments in bilateral relations and Egypt's focus on upgrading ties with Italy across various fields. A key discussion point was Egypt's foremost existential issue, water security, with Abdelatty emphasizing the reliance on international support to safeguard water interests vital to over 110 million Egyptians.The inaugural session of the Egyptian-Italian Joint Committee was highlighted as a significant milestone, providing an institutional mechanism for organizing and deepening ties and translating political will into actionable projects. The participation of multiple ministers from both countries underlined the commitment to further developing relations.Abdelatty and Tajani later attended the Egyptian-Italian Business Forum, emphasizing private-sector participation and strengthening partnerships. Economic, trade, and investment ties were a focal point, with Egypt keen on attracting more Italian investments, as highlighted by the presence of over 1,300 Italian companies in Egypt.Bilateral trade between the two nations has significantly increased, rising from 5.2 billion euro s in 2024 to 8.7 billion euros last year. Talks also addressed irregular migration, workers' rights, and technical education, with Egypt appreciating Italy's expertise in vocational training.Energy cooperation was discussed, praising Italian company Eni's long-standing presence in Egypt and exploring electricity interconnection opportunities. International issues and Egypt-EU relations were also on the agenda, with Italy commended for supporting the strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU.Regional developments, including the Palestinian territories and the importance of a comprehensive settlement, were discussed. Cooperation on Libya, Sudan, and Lebanon was highlighted, stressing the importance of preserving unity and supporting political processes in these regions.Abdelatty condemned Israel's actions in Lebanon and discussed regional developments, including the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding. Egypt's role as a peacemaker and President El Sisi's efforts in promoting peaceful solutions were acknowledged during the talks.