CAIRO, June 13 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty held political consultations Friday with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, focusing on enhancing bilateral relations and exchanging views on key regional and international developments.

Abdelatty emphasized the depth and strength of Egyptian-German relations, as reflected in Thursday's phone call between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tamim Khallaf said in a statement following the meeting.

He stressed the importance of upgrading all aspects of bilateral relations, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment spheres, highlighting the promising opportunities offered by Egypt's recent economic reforms.

Abdelatty noted that over 1,600 German companies are operating in Egypt and expressed Cairo’s desire to attract more German investments across various sectors.

The minister also underscored Egypt’s interest in expanding cooperation in energy, particularly renewable energy, and welcomed continued German participation in infrastructure development projects.

He highlighted the significance of collaboration in vocational training and labor mobility, presenting it as a mutually beneficial opportunity for both countries.

He further voiced Egypt's aspiration to enhance trilateral cooperation with Germany in Africa, especially through the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA).

The spokesman added that the consultations also addressed several pressing regional and international issues. At the forefront was the escalation in the Middle East following Israel’s military strikes against Iran.

Abdelatty described the strikes as a dangerous escalation, warning of their grave implications for regional and global peace and security.

He reiterated Egypt’s conviction that military solutions will not resolve the region’s crises.

The two sides also reviewed efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian, medical, and shelter aid to the Palestinian population.

Abdelatty stressed the need for Israel to comply with international law and humanitarian law, and called for collective action within the European Union to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, including efforts to expand international recognition of the State of Palestine.

In addition, the ministers exchanged views on developments in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea region.

Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s core principles in dealing with these crises, which include support for national institutions, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a commitment to political and diplomatic solutions. (MENA)

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