The talks came as Egypt and Spain seek to advance the strategic partnership launched in February 2025 and expand cooperation in investment, migration, renewable energy, tourism, and technology, Egypt’s foreign ministry stated.
FM Abdelatty praised the “high level” reached in relations between the two countries and stressed the importance of implementing the mechanisms of the strategic partnership, according to foreign ministry spokesman Tamim Khalaf.
He also called for strengthening economic and trade ties and attracting more Spanish investment in Egypt, particularly in clean and renewable energy, information technology, and tourism, while highlighting the momentum generated by the Egypt-Spain business forum held in Cairo during King Felipe VI’s visit in September 2025.
The Egyptian foreign minister welcomed the renewal of a memorandum of understanding on migration cooperation and highlighted the expansion of collaboration in higher education, scientific research, healthcare, tourism, and cultural exchange.
On Gaza, Abdelatty expressed appreciation for Spain’s support for Palestinian rights and stressed the need to implement the first phase of the US-backed plan and move toward the second phase, while enabling the national committee tasked with administering Gaza to begin operating from inside the territory.
He also called for the rapid deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza.
The two ministers exchanged views on regional developments and efforts to contain escalating tensions, with Abdelatty stressing the importance of supporting ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations and prioritizing diplomatic solutions.
Abdelatty also reviewed Egypt’s efforts within the international quartet addressing the Sudan crisis, calling for a humanitarian truce leading to a comprehensive ceasefire and an inclusive Sudanese-led political process, while stressing the importance of ensuring unhindered humanitarian access.
The discussions further covered developments in the Horn of Africa, where Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability of countries in the region, describing the Horn as directly linked to Egyptian national security.
For his part, Albares praised Egypt’s role in supporting regional stability and containing escalating tensions, expressing Spain’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties across areas of mutual interest.
The two ministers agreed to continue close coordination and consultation to strengthen strategic relations and support efforts to reduce regional tensions and prevent further instability.
Egypt and Spain have significantly expanded bilateral ties in recent years, culminating in the launch of a strategic partnership in February 2025 during President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Madrid.
The partnership elevated cooperation across political, economic, security, and cultural sectors amid growing coordination between Cairo and European capitals on migration, energy security, and regional conflicts.
Bilateral trade reached about $1.5 billion in the first half of 2025, compared with $1.6 billion during the same period a year earlier, according to Egypt’s statistics agency CAPMAS.
Egyptian exports to Spain included fertilizers, ready-made garments, agricultural products, plastics, and fuel products, while imports from Spain focused on machinery, copper products, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and steel.
Spanish investments in Egypt stood at approximately $61.4 million during the first half of Egypt’s 2024/2025 fiscal year, reflecting sustained Spanish business activity in the Egyptian market despite broader global economic pressures.
Spain has become one of Egypt’s key European partners in renewable energy, transport, tourism, and infrastructure. Spanish companies are involved in several major projects in Egypt, particularly in rail transport, green hydrogen, and clean-energy development, as Cairo seeks to position itself as a regional energy hub and attract more European investment.
On the Palestinian issue, Spain has emerged as one of the most vocal European supporters of Palestinian statehood and a ceasefire in Gaza since the outbreak of Israel’s war on the territory in October 2023.
In May 2024, Spain officially recognized the State of Palestine alongside Ireland and Norway, a move welcomed by Egypt and several Arab states but strongly criticized by Israel.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, increased humanitarian access, and the implementation of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Madrid has also consistently criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza and opposed any forced displacement of Palestinians from the enclave.
Spain has backed international diplomatic efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire and expand humanitarian aid access, positions that closely align with Egypt’s stance on the conflict.
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