Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed the Gaza war and several areas of ongoing cooperation between Egypt and Belgium, including migration issues and the recovery of smuggled Egyptian antiquities, in a telephone call on Saturday with his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib.
During the call, Abdelatty also stressed Egypt’s aspiration to enhance academic collaboration between Egyptian and Belgian universities within the framework of European Union initiatives, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He also spotlighted the significant progress in relations between Egypt and the European Union, with ties elevated to strategic partnership level, particularly in political dialogue at the summit level.
Furthermore, he emphasized the mutual commitment of both the Egyptian and European sides to fully implement this strategic partnership, relying on Belgium’s support to implement the objectives of this partnership and related financial packages.
Abdelatty also welcomed the success of the recently held investment conference, one of the first major events under this new partnership, stressing the importance of following up on the agreements reached with the Belgian private sector during that conference.
Additionally, he shed light on his recent submission of the second executive report on implementing the National Human Rights Strategy to President Abdel-Fattah E-Sisi, reflecting Egypt’s political will to enhance its human rights framework.
The Egyptian foreign minister also expressed Egypt’s appreciation for Belgium’s support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Abdelatty briefed his Belgian counterpart on Egypt’s intensive efforts with regional and international partners to prevent regional escalation.
In response, FM Lahbib praised Egypt’s crucial role in addressing the Gaza crisis and preventing further regional escalation.
She also informed Abdelatty of her recent call with her Israeli counterpart, during which she urged restraint and immediate ceasefire.
Both ministers agreed to continue consultations and coordination to explore solutions for the escalating regional crises.
In addition, they affirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations to serve the interests of both the Egyptian and Belgian peoples.
Source: Ahram Online
