Brussels: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdelatty held talks with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to explore ways of strengthening bilateral relations and addressing key regional issues.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers with their Southern Neighbourhood counterparts in Brussels. Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's commitment to advancing its bilateral ties with Portugal across political, economic, and cultural domains.

Abdelatty expressed his desire to enhance cooperation between the two countries in implementing the strategic and comprehensive partnership between Egypt and the European Union (EU), particularly focusing on economic, trade, and investment dimensions. He also welcomed the approval of the second tranche of the EU's macro-financial assistance package to Egypt, which amounts to 4 billion pounds.

The Egyptian foreign minister briefed his Portuguese counterpart on ongoing efforts in collaboration with Qatar and the United States to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. He noted Egypt's plans to host a Gaza Reconstruction Conference immediately following any ceasefire announcement.

Abdelatty further highlighted the importance of a comprehensive and lasting resolution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with al Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital, to secure peace and stability in the region.