By Manal El Warraky
Dr. Badr Abdel Aati, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, received Mr. Manfred Weber, head of the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, to discuss developments in Egyptian-European relations after upgrading relations between Egypt and the European Union to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.
Ambassador/ Tamim Khilaf, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdel Aati discussed relations between Egypt and the European Union, praising the escalating pace witnessed in relations with the European Union since the visit of the President of the European Commission to Cairo on March 17, 2024 and the announcement of upgrading relations, stressing Egypt’s keenness to implement all axes of the partnership, and welcoming the support of the European People’s Party group to enhance joint cooperation with Egypt.
Minister Abdel Aati stressed Egypt’s continuation of implementing the economic reform program despite the effective regional and international challenges that directly affected the economies of the countries of the region, including Egypt, explaining that these challenges did not prevent the Egyptian government from continuing to implement its ambitious plan to support development plans. In this context, he reviewed the steps taken by the Egyptian government recently to support foreign direct investment in Egypt, remove obstacles facing investors, and prepare a business environment that helps achieve the goals of economic reform.
The meeting also discussed cooperation between Egypt and the European Union in the field of immigration within a comprehensive framework based on linking immigration to development and addressing the fundamental causes that drive illegal immigration. In this context, Minister Abdel Aati noted Egypt’s successes in stopping waves of illegal immigration to Europe, as well as the challenges and burdens resulting from that. He also touched on the field of combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, especially the ideological dimension and combating extremist discourse, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs reviewed Egypt’s comprehensive approach to combating terrorism, which is based on addressing the economic, social, and ideological dimensions of terrorism.
With regard to developments in the region, Minister Abdel Aati discussed Egyptian contacts and efforts to reduce escalation in the region and Egypt’s efforts to immediately cease fire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, and the access of humanitarian aid. He stressed the importance of the European Union’s support for the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing the centrality of the role of UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees.
