CAIRO, June 28 (MENA) – Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Minister Badr Abdelatty held political consultations on Saturday with Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, with delegations from both countries in attendance.

The talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and international developments, said foreign ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf, pointing out that Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s desire to strengthen all aspects of bilateral ties and build on outcomes from recent high-level visits, including the Austrian chancellor’s trip to Cairo in March 2024.

He stressed the importance of expanding cooperation across various sectors—particularly economic, trade, and investment—by activating the joint committee and encouraging Austrian investments in Egypt. The ministers also discussed boosting collaboration in labor-related domains, as well as in scientific, cultural, and tourism exchange, renewable energy, and counterterrorism efforts.

The consultations also addressed a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern, the spokesman said, noting that the two ministers reviewed developments related to the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Abdelatty underscored the need to maintain the ceasefire and de-escalate tensions, directing attention to Egypt’s efforts to contain the situation and promote political and diplomatic solutions.

He also highlighted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, briefing his Austrian counterpart on Egypt’s initiatives to restore a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The top Egyptian diplomat reiterated the need to create a political horizon for the implementation of the two-state solution, establishing a Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, describing this as the only viable path to lasting peace, security, and stability in the region.

Abdelatty warned of the worsening conditions in the West Bank amid continued Israeli military operations and settler violence against civilians, stressing the urgent need to halt such actions.

The two ministers also exchanged views on developments in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.

Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s position on respecting sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states, and the importance of supporting national institutions and pursuing political and diplomatic resolutions to regional crises.

At the end of the talks, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a political consultation mechanism between Egypt and Austria, aiming to elevate bilateral relations and expand cooperation.
(MENA)
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