Egypt urges EU to initiate projects toward the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip

Ahram Online , Monday 20 Jan 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty called on the European Union (EU) to provide aid and initiate recovery projects toward the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in light of the ceasefire deal that took effect on Sunday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty meets with the President of the European Council Ant&
Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty meets with the President of the European Council António Costa in the Belgian capital of Brussels. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry

 

This came in a meeting on Sunday with President of the European Council António Costa in the Belgian capital of Brussels in the first stop of his two-leg European tour, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Egyptian FM reviewed with Costa Cairo's intensive efforts, in collaboration with Qatar and the US, to reach the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and facilitate the exchange of prisoners and detainees.  

He also emphasized the importance of all parties adhering to the agreement's terms and implementing it according to agreed-upon timelines.

Moreover, he hoped the agreement would increase the safe and unfettered distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.

The meeting also addressed the latest developments in Syria, Sudan, Somalia, and the Horn of Africa.

FM Abdelatty stressed the critical importance of Egypt’s water security and described it as non-negotiable.

For his part, Costa commended President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for his pivotal role in reaching the Gaza ceasefire agreement and supporting security and stability in the Middle East, affirming that Egypt is a key partner of the EU.

Egypt-EU ties
 

Both sides praised the positive developments in Egypt-EU relations, represented by the elevation of relations to a strategic and comprehensive partnership last spring.

FM Abdelatty underscored the success of the Egypt-EU Investment Conference recently held in Cairo, describing it as a major boost to promoting European investments in Egypt.

In addition, FM Abdelatty welcomed the European financial package granted to Egypt and the disbursement of the first tranche, worth 1 billion euros.

He said Cairo is looking forward to the EU's support in expediting the approval of the second tranche, worth 4 billion euros.  

The meeting also discussed mutual cooperation in the field of regulating migration.

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of linking migration to development and supporting economic and social development to address the root causes of irregular migration.  

In this regard, Abdelatty highlighted to Costa Egypt's efforts in meeting the challenges and burdens of hosting over 10 million foreigners.  

Egypt's top diplomat also met with members of the Egyptian community in Belgium and Luxembourg during his visit to Brussels.

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