Cairo: EgyPulse – News Desk
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and coordinating on pressing regional and international issues.
Abdelatty praised the strategic relationship between Egypt and Italy, particularly in light of the two countries’ pivotal role in the Mediterranean region. He emphasized Egypt’s keenness to deepen ties and revive the Egyptian-Italian Business Council to boost cooperation, especially in trade, investment, and energy.
He welcomed Italy’s partnership in energy projects, notably the planned electricity interconnection project, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in the natural gas sector. Abdelatty also lauded the contributions of Italian energy companies to this sector. The two ministers also addressed illegal migration, as Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to a comprehensive approach that includes developmental and social dimensions.
He welcomed the previously signed MoU on promoting decent work opportunities and labor mobility for Egyptians. Abdelatty further underlined the importance of increased EU support for Egypt, acknowledging the economic and social burdens the country bears as a host to a large number of refugees and migrants. He also cited Egypt’s nomination of Khaled El-Anany for the position of UNESCO Director-General, highlighting the wide international and regional support for his candidacy.
He underlined El-Anany’s vision of culture as a force for peace and sustainable development, expressing hope for continued Italian and EU backing. The Egyptian minister briefed his Italian counterpart on Egypt’s ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza, calling on the European Union to increase pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza amid catastrophic conditions, stop settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, and cease violations of international humanitarian law.
He firmly rejected any forced displacement of Palestinians, reaffirming Egypt’s support for a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state. He praised recent European recognitions of Palestine, urging more countries to follow suit. Abdelatty warned of the grave consequences of continued Israeli military operations in Gaza, the targeting of civilians, and blockade-induced starvation.
He urged the EU to maintain pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under international law. On Libya, the Egyptian minister emphasized the need to maintain momentum toward a Libyan-led political solution, hold presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible, ensure the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries, and back Libya’s sovereignty and national unity.
