Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's full support for Eritrea's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity during talks on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and coordinate stands on issues of mutual interest. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tamim Khallaf noted that Abdelatty highlighted the deep historical ties between Egypt and Eritrea and the outcomes of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki's recent visit to Egypt, emphasizing that it had helped advance bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

Abdelatty also stressed the importance of building on the outcomes of the Eritrean president's economic adviser's visit to Egypt in April 2026, as well as the joint visit to Asmara in May by the Egyptian ministers of foreign affairs and transport, who were accompanied by a delegation of Egyptian business representatives. This included implementing a maritime transport cooperation agreement signed in Asmara.

The Egyptian minister expressed hopes to expand bilateral trade, encourage joint investments, and increase the participation of Egyptian private-sector companies in the Eritrean market. Areas of interest include mining, infrastructure, maritime transport, port connectivity, the development and modernization of Eritrean ports, pharmaceuticals, fisheries, and housing.

He also emphasized enhanced technical cooperation through capacity-building programs organized by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development to meet Eritrea's development priorities.

Regarding Red Sea security, the two ministers asserted that the security and governance of the Red Sea are the exclusive responsibility of the littoral states. They rejected any attempts by non-littoral states to impose security arrangements or roles in the region, or to expand their maritime presence in violation of international law.

Khallaf stated that the ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa. Abdelatty outlined Egypt's stance on the situations in Sudan and Somalia, reiterating Cairo's commitment to preserving security and stability in the Horn of Africa, which it considers a direct extension of Egypt's national security. He underscored the importance of supporting national state institutions, preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of countries in the region, and rejecting any unilateral measures that could undermine state sovereignty or regional stability.