Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani praised the notable progress in Egyptian-Qatari relations under the directives of the two countries' leaderships, highlighting the growing pace of high-level visits and continued coordination and consultations on various regional issues. The remarks came during a meeting between Abdelatty and Sheikh Mohammed on Thursday, August 20, 2026, ahead of the seventh session of the Egyptian-Qatari Joint Higher Committee, being held in the city of El Alamein.According to State Information Service Egypt, the two sides affirmed their shared commitment to further developing bilateral relations across various fields. They also stressed the need for the Joint Higher Committee to convene regularly on an annual basis, emphasizing the importance of building on the outcomes of its seventh session and translating them into practical steps, while continuing to update the contractual framework governing bilateral relations.The two sides welcomed the notable development in economic and investment relations. Abdelatty noted that trade between Egypt and Qatar increased by 80 percent in 2025, highlighting the significant growth in investment cooperation, particularly following the announcement of the Ras El Hekma deal in November 2025 and the launch by Qatari Diar of work on the project's first phase on August 9.He also pointed to the launch of a sustainable aviation fuel manufacturing project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone with direct Qatari investments, describing it as a reflection of confidence in Egypt's investment climate and the promising opportunities offered by the Egyptian economy.On consular cooperation, Abdelatty praised the care extended to the Egyptian community in Qatar, stressing the importance of convening the joint labor committee at the earliest opportunity. He affirmed Egypt's readiness to provide the professional cadres an d specialists needed by the Qatari labor market through the electronic labor-matching system and the Overseas Employment Management Unit, ensuring an organized movement of workers that serves the interests of both countries.The two sides also discussed regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions and contain instability in the region. They stressed the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions and returning to the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran and building on it to resume the negotiating track, with a view to reaching a final and lasting agreement that addresses the concerns of all parties and contributes to regional security and stability.They also underscored the importance of ensuring the security, safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, and refraining from any measures that could impede international navigation and trade, given their direct implications for energy security, supply c hains and the global economy.The two sides exchanged views on developments in the Palestinian issue, stressing the importance of continued close coordination with the United States and regional partners to ensure implementation of the US president's peace plan for the Gaza Strip and to press Israel to fulfill its commitments under the first phase and the announced roadmap.They also discussed the serious developments in the West Bank and Jerusalem, warning against settlement expansion, escalating settler attacks, incursions and provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque. They stressed the need to halt unilateral Israeli measures, given their serious repercussions for prospects for peace and stability and for the situation across the region.Regarding Lebanon, the two sides stressed the importance of continued Egyptian-Qatari coordination in support of Lebanon's security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the need for Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and support for the c ountry's national institutions, foremost among them the Lebanese Army.They also discussed developments in Sudan, warning of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and reaffirming their support for Sudan's unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national institutions, while rejecting any attempts to partition the country or establish parallel entities.The meeting also addressed developments in the Horn of Africa. The two sides stressed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the region and refrain from any unilateral moves that threaten regional peace and security or seek to impose access to maritime routes by force in violation of international law.Abdelatty, for his part, reviewed Egypt's participation in the second summit of troop-contributing countries to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), held in Kampala late last July. He stressed the importance of providing the mission with the necessary funding and support and preserving the security and stability gains achieved in Somalia over the past years, in a manner that safeguards the interests of countries in the region and prevents the resurgence of terrorist threats.The two sides agreed to maintain close coordination and consultations between Egypt and Qatar and build on the momentum in bilateral relations and the outcomes of the seventh session of the Joint Higher Committee, with a view to advancing ties to broader horizons and strengthening their ability to address shared regional challenges.