Mohamed Abou El Enein, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean speaking during the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Zagreb, Croatia. Photo courtesy of Mohamed Abou El Enein Facebook page.
Addressing heads of delegations from 13 European countries during the Three Seas Initiative Summit in Zagreb, Croatia, Abou El Enein highlighted Egypt’s active diplomatic engagement to contain the crisis and restore regional stability. He underscored that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has led intensive diplomatic efforts, including shuttle diplomacy across Gulf states and continuous coordination with international actors, to prevent further escalation.
Abou El Enein stressed that Egypt shares a common position with European partners in rejecting military escalation, warning that any deterioration—particularly threats to energy infrastructure or key maritime routes—would have far-reaching global consequences, affecting economies and households worldwide.
He noted that Egypt, alongside partners such as Pakistan and Türkiye, has supported efforts to sustain dialogue between conflicting parties and reduce tensions at a critical moment in international relations, where the use of force is increasingly employed to achieve strategic objectives.
Turning to the Palestinian issue, Abou El Enein emphasized that the roots of the conflict lie in decades of occupation rather than recent developments, describing it as “a people’s cause” rooted in the deprivation of a homeland. He reaffirmed that the two-state solution remains the only viable path toward lasting peace.
He also highlighted Egypt’s role in securing a ceasefire in Gaza through high-level diplomatic efforts, including a summit in Sharm El-Sheikh attended by leaders from more than 30 countries. While these efforts contributed to halting hostilities, he noted that significant challenges remain.
Abou El Enein described the current global moment as exceptionally difficult, marked by instability, rising tensions, and a shift in the language of international relations toward the use of power. “Our world is at a critical juncture that requires a clear vision for the future and stronger cooperation to serve both present and future generations,” he said.
Reflecting on Euro-African cooperation, he called for moving beyond rhetoric toward actionable strategies, noting that despite numerous meetings, lessons from successful global development models have not been sufficiently applied. He cited China’s Belt and Road Initiative as an example of a project that succeeded through clear vision, effective promotion, and sustained financing.
He pointed to growing opportunities for cooperation between Egypt and the European Union, particularly within the framework of their expanding strategic partnership. Egypt, he said, is well-positioned to act as a bridge between the Global North and South and as a gateway to African markets encompassing 54 countries within the African Union.
However, he stressed the need for a forward-looking vision that integrates European expertise with Africa’s capabilities, supported by legislative frameworks, investment initiatives, and strong private sector participation.
Abou El Enein also invited participants to attend the upcoming Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean meeting in Cairo on 3 July, which will bring together representatives from 43 countries to discuss regional developments and Euro-African cooperation.
He further noted that Egypt continues to attract foreign direct investment while shouldering significant economic and humanitarian responsibilities, including hosting approximately 10 million refugees at an annual cost of around $10 billion, in addition to losses linked to regional instability and declining revenues.
On the sidelines of the summit, Abou El Enein met with European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica to discuss enhancing cooperation in areas such as education, training, and youth empowerment, as well as exchanging views on regional and international developments.
Both sides stressed the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic solutions and avoiding military escalation. Šuica praised Egypt’s role in de-escalation efforts, particularly the diplomatic initiatives led by President El-Sisi, and commended Cairo’s constructive contribution to regional stability and Mediterranean cooperation.
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