Foreign Minister: No Military Solution to Middle East Crisis
Cairo, Egypt – Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, has emphatically stated that a military approach cannot resolve the ongoing crises plaguing the Middle East.
Call for Diplomacy and Condemnation of Aggression
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, Abdelatty voiced optimism for the swift resumption of direct negotiations between Iran and the United States. He also strongly condemned what he characterized as “unjustified attacks” targeting Gulf states, Jordan, and Iraq.
Deepening Cairo-Madrid Ties
The Foreign Minister highlighted that his visit to Spain underscores the profound and burgeoning relationship between Cairo and Madrid, which has witnessed remarkable development over the past year. He specifically referenced President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s pivotal visit to Spain, a landmark occasion that elevated bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership.
Abdelatty further emphasized the significance of King Felipe VI’s visit to Egypt in September, which coincided with a joint business forum. The King’s attendance at the inauguration ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, scheduled for November 1, 2025, at the invitation of President El-Sisi, was also noted as a testament to these strong bonds.
These high-level exchanges, he asserted, serve as compelling evidence of the close and enduring ties shared by the two friendly nations.
Economic Partnership and Shared Visions
Abdelatty observed that Egypt and Spain hold convergent positions regarding the strength of their economic, trade, and political relations. He lauded the crucial role played by Spanish companies in supporting the implementation of Egypt’s ambitious Vision 2030, reiterating Egypt’s keen interest in attracting increased Spanish investments.
The minister also welcomed the signing of the Egypt-Spain Partnership for Sustainable Development Program 2025–2030, an agreement inked during the Spanish King’s visit to Egypt last September, which is set to bolster development cooperation between the two countries.
Discussions with Minister Albares also focused on the imperative of boosting trade cooperation and sustaining efforts to elevate bilateral relations, alongside emphasizing the critical importance of ensuring freedom of navigation.
He also commended the valuable work of Spanish archaeological missions operating in Egypt, particularly their contributions to antiquity discovery, expressing hope for an expansion of their activities across various archaeological sites nationwide.
The Imperative of a Just Palestinian Settlement
Both Abdelatty and his Spanish counterpart concurred that genuine security and stability in the Middle East, including for Israel, are unattainable without a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian cause. He underscored that any such solution must unequivocally guarantee the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their inherent right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the June 4, 1967, borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“Without this,” he stated, “there can be no sustainable peace or stability in the region.”
The Foreign Minister further condemned attacks perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and stressed the necessity of implementing the first phase of the US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. He also highlighted the need to advance to the second phase of the Gaza agreement, which includes disarmament measures and Israeli withdrawal.
Addressing the Crisis in Sudan
Regarding the situation in Sudan, Abdelatty stressed the urgent need for a humanitarian truce lasting three to six months to facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid across the country. He articulated that this truce should pave the way for a sustainable ceasefire and the launch of a comprehensive, Sudanese-owned political process, free from exclusion or external interference.
He also called for an immediate halt to arms smuggling to illegitimate entities operating outside the framework of the Sudanese state and armed forces. He urged neighboring countries to prevent the flow of weapons into Sudan, warning that continued arms smuggling would only exacerbate tensions and escalation.
Spain’s Role in African Stability
The minister concluded by stating that Egypt highly values Spain’s strategic approach toward Africa and acknowledges Madrid’s significant role in supporting stability and development across the continent. He affirmed that Egypt and Spain are committed to working collaboratively to promote stability and development in various African nations.
Source: MENA
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