Basmah AbdulMohsen AlGalus
Cairo, July 20 – Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, met on Sunday, July 20, with Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation.
🤝 Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Minister Abdelatty praised the distinguished relations between Egypt and Germany and commended Germany’s constructive role in supporting development projects in Egypt. He emphasized Egypt’s aspiration to further enhance its strategic partnership with Germany in key areas including energy, legal migration and labor mobility, water resource management, vocational training, and cooperation in Africa.
He also underscored the importance of expanding economic, trade, and investment ties between the two countries, noting the promising opportunities these sectors offer in light of Egypt’s comprehensive economic reforms. The Minister encouraged German companies to increase their investments in Egypt across diverse fields, highlighting the country’s improved business climate.
🌍 Regional Issues and the Gaza Ceasefire
Minister Abdelatty briefed his German counterpart on the latest developments in the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting Egypt’s intensive mediation efforts in cooperation with Qatar and the United States. He stressed the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip and reiterated Egypt’s support for international recognition of the Palestinian state based on a two-state solution.
He also presented Egypt’s ongoing preparations to host a conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, to be launched once a ceasefire agreement is reached, in line with the Arab–Islamic plan and with full respect for the Palestinian people’s right to remain on their land.
📈 Economic Planning and Debt Swap Initiatives
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed the key features of Egypt’s economic and social development plans, alongside the structural reforms aimed at transitioning the economy toward tradable and export-oriented sectors. She highlighted several development projects implemented under the Egypt–Germany debt swap program and called for the exploration of innovative financing mechanisms.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of enhancing South–South cooperation and trilateral development initiatives through the German partnership, which can help transfer Egypt’s development expertise to other emerging and developing nations.
💧 Water Security and Nile Basin Cooperation
Dr. Hani Sewilam discussed Egypt’s water security concerns and the latest developments regarding the Nile River. He pointed to Germany’s extensive experience in regional governance of shared water resources and reaffirmed Egypt’s position on the necessity of adhering to international law, consensus-building, and equitable cooperation among all Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) member states.
He firmly rejected any unilateral measures that violate international legal principles in the Eastern Nile Basin and reaffirmed Egypt’s deep-rooted support for development in the Southern Nile Basin countries. He also referenced Egypt’s newly launched mechanism for mobilizing finance and investment in regional development projects.
🧭 Conclusion
The meeting reflected a growing convergence between Egypt and Germany on key development, humanitarian, and regional security issues. It laid the groundwork for expanded strategic cooperation grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a common commitment to sustainable progress and regional peace.
