Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with his American counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday at the US State Department in Washington.
A Foreign Ministry statement explained that the meeting discussed the overall close bilateral relations between the two countries, ways to enhance the long-lasting strategic partnership which has spanned four decades, and support for cooperation in various fields.
Abdelatty expressed his desire to work with the new administration to achieve security, stability and comprehensive peace for the region.
The talks touched on the importance of continuing to periodically hold rounds of Egyptian-US strategic dialogue, and also addressed ways to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between both countries.
The two ministers discussed the ongoing arrangements for Cairo to host the Egypt Future Economy Forum this year in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce, which aims to achieve a qualitative leap in trade exchange rates and increase American investments in Egypt.
An extensive discussion took place regarding the various regional developments in Gaza, Syria, Libya, Sudan, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Egypt stresses its commitment to the Palestinian cause
Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s – as well as the Arab and Islamic world’s – firmly established position on the Palestinian cause.
He expressed Egypt’s desire to work with the US administration towards towards achieving the desired peace in the Middle East while upholding the rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to establish an independent state on their entire national territory.
Abdelatty reviewed Egypt’s efforts in implementing the ceasefire agreement in all its three phases and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
He emphasized the urgency of initiating early recovery, debris removal, and reconstruction with the presence of Palestinians in Gaza in light of their attachment to their homeland, with full support from the Arab and Islamic worlds as well as the international community.
Abdelatty called for establishing a political plan leading to the final resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, to achieve lasting stability in the Middle East.
The discussions also addressed the latest developments in Sudan, where Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s support for Sudanese state institutions, the necessity of a ceasefire, and the importance of respecting Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
The two officials also covered the situation in Syria, with Abdelatty emphasizing Egypt’s full support for the Syrian people.
He underscored the need to uphold Syria’s unity and territorial integrity and stressed the importance of launching an inclusive political process that does not exclude any component of Syrian society, ensuring that Syria becomes a source of stability in the region.
Additionally, the discussions tackled Egypt’s water security, with Abdelatty stressing Egypt’s firm stance on the necessity of reaching a legally binding agreement on the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, one that safeguards the rights of the downstream countries while serving the shared interests of all parties.
Both sides agreed on the need to continue consultations and coordination between Egypt and the United States.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
