Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir signs an agreement on maritime transport cooperation between Egypt and Eritrea. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir inked the deal with Eritrean officials during the visit to strengthen logistical connectivity and expand economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two Red Sea neighbours.
Al-Wazir highlighted the already-operational cargo shipping line linking Egyptian and Eritrean ports via the Red Sea as concrete proof of both governments' commitment to elevating relations.
Minister Al-Wazir expressed Egypt's readiness to share its expertise in railways, ports, and maritime transport to support Eritrea's development.
Part of the signing agreement ceremony on maritime transport cooperation between Egypt and Eritrea. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The visit, conducted under the directives of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, carried strong political weight.
FM Abdelatty met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, covering a wide range of bilateral and regional issues — from Horn of Africa security to trade and private sector investment.
Abdelatty stressed that governance and security of the Red Sea are the exclusive responsibility of its littoral states, and firmly rejected any attempts by outside parties to impose security arrangements or engage in understandings relating to the sea.
Egypt expressed full support for Eritrea's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity — a position El-Sisi had personally reaffirmed when President Afwerki visited Cairo in October 2025.
The talks also ranged across the broader Horn of Africa, with Abdelatty presenting Egypt's positions on the crises in Sudan and Somalia, and underscoring Cairo's view that stability in the Horn is a direct extension of Egyptian national security.
He stressed the importance of preserving national institutions and the territorial integrity of states across the region.
President Afwerki, for his part, commended Egypt's active regional role.
On bilateral trade, Abdelatty expressed eagerness to build on the current positive momentum, encouraging joint investments and greater participation of Egypt's private sector in the Eritrean market.
President Afwerki praised the historical depth of ties between the two countries and reaffirmed Eritrea's commitment to strengthening coordination with Egypt across political, economic, and security domains — underscoring that Saturday's agreements were not a new beginning, but the latest chapter in a long and substantive partnership.
In October 2025, President Afwerki met El-Sisi in Cairo, who reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast commitment to supporting Eritrea’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir meet with Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki in the capital, Asmara. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, FM Abdelatty held separate talks with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh.
During the talks, the Egyptian FM stressed Cairo’s keenness to build on the positive momentum in bilateral ties, commending the existing coordination and the unity of visions and shared interests between the two countries.
He looked forward to continuing joint efforts to increase trade exchange, encourage joint investments, and support participation of the Egyptian private sector in the Eritrean market.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty meets with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh in the capital, Asmara. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
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