Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas during their meeting on the side-lines of the 20th edition of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovakia. Photo courtesy of Egyptian foreign ministry
Abdelatty’s assertations came during his meeting with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, on the sidelines of his participation at the 20th edition of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia.
During the meeting, both sides addressed the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip, which has escalated to the point of famine due to the intensified Israeli aggression for nearly two years.
The Egyptian FM further highlighted to Kallas Cairo’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of captives and detainees, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to the besieged Strip.
He repeated Cairo's warnings against the expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Cairo has slammed Tel Aviv for not responding to a recent proposal -accepted by Hamas- for a truce and prisoner exchange, put forward by Egypt and Qatar, despite Israel previously agreeing to it.
Egypt has also denounced the ongoing Israeli military operation to take Gaza City and ethnically cleanse more than one million Palestinians to the southern Strip.
Abdelatty stressed to Kallas that the two-state solution and recognition of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 borders is the only path to achieving lasting security and stability in the region.
On 30 July, 15 countries, including France, Spain, and Norway, called on the world to recognize Palestinian statehood.
To date, 147 of the 193 UN member states—roughly three-quarters—have recognized the Palestinian state, which was granted non-member observer status at the UN in 2012.
Since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, several European nations, including Norway, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have officially recognized Palestinian statehood.
France said it would announce that it recognized Palestinian statehood atthe updcoming United Nations General Assembly in New Youkin September.
FM Abdelatty also stressed to Kallas the importance of EU engagement in the International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction in Gaza, which would be hosted by Egypt once a ceasefire is reached.
Middle East crises
During the meeting, both sides addressed the situation in Syria, where the Egyptian FM affirmed Egypt’s rejection of Israel’s continuous violations of Syrian sovereignty,
He also stressed the need to preserve Syria’s stability, unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its people’s security.
Additionally, Abdelatty and Kallas discussed the situation in Lebanon.
The Egyptian top diplomat reaffirmed Cairo’s unwavering support for Lebanon amidst Israel’s repeated violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement, which constitute a flagrant breach of international law and a violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
He emphasized the need for the full and impartial implementation of 1701 by all parties, urging Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Furthermore, Abdelatty called for an end to all Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and assaults on its land and airspace.
He also reiterated Egypt’s call on the international community to support reconstruction efforts in Lebanon.
Other meetings
FM Abdelatty held a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss key regional and international issues, particularly the latest developments in the Middle East and the Balkans.
The Egyptian FM and Albanian PM stressed the importance of reaching peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts in a way that preserves these countries’ unity and stability and achieves security and development for their peoples.
Abdelatty also held separate meetings with several counterparts, including Albanian FM Igli Hasani, Slovenian FM Tanja Fajon, Croatian FM Gordan Grlić-Radman, and North Macedonian FM Timčo Mucunski.
He also met with Slovenian Parliament Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič, Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States Paul Richard Gallagher, and EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib.
Launched in 2006, Bled Strategic Forum is one of the most prominent European platforms for discussing international challenges and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Short link: