Ashraf AboArafe
Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, held a phone conversation on Friday, March 13, with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to discuss strengthening Egypt–EU relations and coordinating efforts to reduce the escalating military tensions in the region.
Strategic Partnership Moving Forward
During the call, Dr. Abdelatty and the EU’s top diplomat reviewed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Egypt and the European Union, emphasizing the need to expand cooperation into broader horizons.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister praised the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, particularly following the first Egypt–EU Summit held last October, which marked a turning point in elevating cooperation across multiple sectors.
He stressed the importance of accelerating economic, investment, and trade cooperation with the EU, highlighting the urgency of disbursing the second tranche of the EU’s financial support package for Egypt. This support, he noted, is essential to assist Egypt’s national budget in coping with the severe economic repercussions of the ongoing regional escalation, including:
- Rising global energy and food prices
- Higher maritime shipping and insurance costs
- Broader economic pressures affecting Egypt and the global economy
Urgent Coordination to Contain Regional Conflict
The discussion also addressed rapidly evolving regional developments amid dangerous military escalation and the widening scope of conflict across several countries in the region.
Both sides agreed on the urgent need for coordinated international and regional action to end the war as quickly as possible, emphasizing the importance of developing concrete ideas and practical frameworks to halt the conflict before it spreads further.
They also reaffirmed the critical importance of sustained Egypt–EU coordination to reduce tensions and advance diplomatic and political solutions.
Condemning Attacks and Prioritizing Diplomacy
Dr. Abdelatty and Kallas condemned the attacks targeting sister Arab states, stressing the necessity of halting such violations and bringing the ongoing war to an end.
The two officials agreed to maintain close consultation within the framework of the strong Egypt–EU partnership, working together to de-escalate tensions and push for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Both sides underscored that diplomacy remains the only viable path to prevent the region from sliding into deeper instability, and to safeguard regional and international peace and security.
Key Message:
Cairo and Brussels are aligning their diplomatic efforts, seeking to transform their strategic partnership into a stabilizing force aimed at halting war, containing escalation, and protecting the fragile balance of regional security.
