Berlin, Germany – Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty and his German counterpart, Johannes Wadephul, held in-depth political consultations in Berlin, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest. During the consultations, a mechanism for political consultations at the ministerial level between the two countries was launched.
Upgrading relations to the level of a strategic partnership
Minister Abdel-Aty praised the “significant leap” in Egyptian-German relations across various fields in recent years. He also affirmed that the launch of the new political consultation mechanism reflects the depth of the relationship and the shared desire to elevate it to the level of a strategic partnership in the coming period.
The Egyptian minister also expressed his anticipation for the Joint Economic Committee meeting and a business forum to be held on its sidelines. The aim is to strengthen cooperation between the private sectors of both countries. He also welcomed the upcoming Egyptian-German government negotiations on development cooperation. These negotiations will support joint projects in the fields of renewable energy, improving the investment climate, and supporting the private sector.
Egypt is an attractive market for German investments.
The Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening economic relations and leveraging the competitive advantages of both countries. He also affirmed that Egypt is an attractive market for German investment. He highlighted the continued growth of the Egyptian market in the following sectors: industry, information and communications technology, tourism, services, and renewable energy.
Abdel-Aati welcomed the presence of 1,600 German companies operating in Egypt, expressing his hope for further investments. This comes in light of the competitive advantages offered by the Egyptian investment climate. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation in vocational training and labor mobility, as this represents a mutual benefit for both countries.
Coordinating positions on Gaza, Sudan, and the Iranian nuclear issue
The consultations addressed a number of important regional and international issues, most notably the developments in the Gaza Strip. Minister Abdel-Aati briefed his German counterpart on Egyptian efforts aimed at consolidating the ceasefire, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The Egyptian minister stressed the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803 concerning Gaza. The goal is to maintain the ceasefire and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. It also includes initiating the early recovery and reconstruction phase.
He emphasized the importance of deploying an international stabilization force and enabling Palestinian forces to assume law enforcement responsibilities in Gaza.
The emphasis is on achieving a political settlement as the only guarantee for stability in the region. This settlement must be based on international law and respect the territorial integrity of the Palestinian territories. It must also include the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The two ministers also exchanged views on developments in Sudan. Minister Abdel-Aty emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire to launch a comprehensive Sudanese political process. He reiterated Egypt’s firm position on the necessity of respecting the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan, as well as supporting state institutions and providing safe passage for humanitarian aid.
The two ministers also discussed developments in Syria, Lebanon, and Libya. Minister Abdel-Aty stressed the need to preserve the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the brotherly Arab states, reiterating Egypt’s rejection of the ongoing violations that contravene the principles of international law.
Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, the Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of exploring ways to reduce tensions and support diplomatic solutions. He stressed the importance of continued cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and building mutual trust, which would pave the way for a sustainable settlement of the Iranian nuclear program and support stability in the region.
