The meeting, held in the presence of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas; EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica; and more than ten EU foreign ministers, marked the first session of the Partnership Council held under the framework of the Egypt–EU Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership launched in Cairo in March 2024, Abdelatty stated.
He added that it provided an opportunity to review progress across its six pillars and outline a more ambitious vision for future cooperation amid growing geopolitical challenges.
Abdelatty highlighted the importance of the first Egypt–EU Summit held in Brussels in October 2025, describing it as a milestone in bilateral relations, and expressed Egypt’s aspiration to host the second summit in 2027.
He stressed the growing importance of security cooperation, noting the launch of the first Egypt–EU Security and Defence Dialogue in March 2026 and the second round of counter-terrorism talks in January.
On the economic front, he underlined that economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of the partnership, pointing to rising European investment flows, cooperation in energy and green hydrogen, and momentum generated by the Egypt–EU Investment Conference in Cairo and a high-level investment event in Brussels in 2025.
He also outlined Egypt’s structural reforms aimed at improving the business environment and expanding the role of the private sector, stressing Egypt’s strategic location, infrastructure, and large market as key advantages for industrial cooperation and supply chain integration. He welcomed EU support for economic reforms and cooperation in education, research, and skills development through programmes such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
Abdelatty further called for a long-term strategic approach to migration and mobility beyond short-term crisis management, and stressed the need for stronger coordination on regional issues, particularly Gaza.
On regional developments, he reviewed Egypt’s efforts to support the US–Iran negotiation track, which culminated in a recently reached agreement, and reiterated Egypt’s support for diplomatic solutions.
Regarding Gaza, he stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and called for full implementation of the first phase of the US peace plan, including sustained humanitarian access, deployment of an international stabilization force (ISF), and enabling the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) until the Palestinian Authority (PA) resumes full responsibilities. He also warned of escalating Israeli practices in the occupied West Bank, including settlement expansion, violations, and land seizures.
The meeting also reviewed developments in Libya, Lebanon, the Horn of Africa, Somalia, Sudan, the Sahel, Egypt’s water security, and the war in Ukraine, with Abdelatty outlining Egypt’s positions across these files.
EU officials, including Kallas and Šuica, along with EU foreign ministers, praised Egypt’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, particularly its efforts in supporting the Washington–Tehran track, facilitating ceasefire efforts in Gaza, and contributing to stability in Sudan and Libya, describing Egypt as a key and reliable partner for the European Union in the region.
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