FM Abdelatty's remarks came during a meeting with European Council President António Costa on Monday evening, on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia.
During the meeting, they discussed strengthening Egypt-EU ties and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abdelatty warned of the gravity of the situation in Gaza, which has reached famine levels.
Moreover, FM Abdelatty underscored the urgent need for regional and international action to secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, calling on the international community to stop Israel’s “flagrant crimes” in both Gaza and the West Bank.
He also pressed the EU to increase pressure on Israel to lift restrictions on humanitarian aid entry.
The foreign minister warned that Israel’s colonial settlement expansion and military escalation threaten prospects for a Palestinian state.
Earlier on Monday, Abdelatty stressed the need for the European Union to take firm and effective action to pressure Israel to accept a ceasefire, put an end to its blatant crimes, and comply with international law and international humanitarian law. This occurred during his meeting with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.
Cairo also slammed Tel Aviv for not responding to a recent ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar and accepted by Hamas for a truce and prisoner exchange, despite Israel previously agreeing to it.
Egypt-EU ties
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to host the first Egypt-EU Summit soon, saying it would enhance cooperation in political, economic, security, and scientific fields under the six pillars of the Egypt-EU Strategic Partnership.
He also noted progress since European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Cairo in March 2023, when the two sides signed a declaration upgrading ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
On 17 March 2024, von der Leyen led a delegation of EU leaders to Cairo to launch the new partnership, which included a 7.4 billion euros support package of loans, investments, and grants, along with commitments to expand cooperation in energy, migration, trade, and regional stability.
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