Intensive Egyptian talks with Gulf states to reduce regional tensions

Egyptian-Gulf talks continued to reduce tensions in the region, and Cairo stressed “the importance of concerted efforts and unified action to prevent the widening of the circle of conflict.”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati made a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, “as part of the ongoing communication between the two brotherly countries, for consultation and coordination regarding various issues of common interest.”

According to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wednesday): “During the call, on Tuesday evening, the two ministers discussed the fraternal and strategic relations between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and stressed their keenness to continue advancing joint cooperation paths and mechanisms in various fields.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nader Zaki said that the two ministers “discussed the latest developments in regional situations, including developments in Yemen, Iran and the Red Sea region, and agreed on the necessity of preserving freedom of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.”

Abdel Aty stressed “Egypt’s full support for the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its categorical rejection of any attacks on its territory or attempts to undermine its safety,” stressing “Egypt’s full solidarity and support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to preserve its sovereignty and security.”

In another call between Abdel-Ati and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Thani, he discussed developments in the crisis with Iran and the course of the recent escalation in the region. Minister Abdel-Ati stressed “the importance of urging support for political and diplomatic paths to resolve the current crisis, in a way that contributes to strengthening regional security and stability.” He reviewed Egypt's vision regarding the aforementioned crises. Among them are developments in Yemen, Iran, and the Red Sea region, pointing out “the necessity of preserving freedom of maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and rejecting the use of straits and passages as a tool for pressure or bargaining in these crises.”

Abdul Ati also made a phone call with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that the call “focused on discussing ways to continue developing the fraternal and strategic relations that bring the two countries together in various fields.”

The call also dealt with the latest developments in the regional situation taking place in the region, as Minister Abdel Ati stressed “the importance of intensifying efforts aimed at reducing escalation, containing tensions, and supporting political and diplomatic paths to resolve the current crises.”

Abdel Ati also discussed, on Wednesday, a number of regional and international issues of common interest with the US President’s Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, on Wednesday. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry confirmed that “the call dealt with the strategic bilateral relations between Cairo and Washington, in addition to the developments in the situation in the region, most notably developments in Sudan. Minister Abdel-Ati renewed Egypt’s vision in terms of the importance of preserving the unity and sovereignty of countries and preserving their legitimate national institutions, in order to preserve the capabilities of the brotherly Sudanese people.”

On Tuesday evening, Abdel Aty also held a meeting with the leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerned with regional files, within the framework of following up on the implementation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives regarding intensifying Egyptian diplomatic movements to deal with regional crises, and continuing efforts aimed at reducing escalation and supporting security and stability, as well as enhancing coordination with regional and international partners.

Nader Zaki stated that the meeting witnessed a comprehensive review of the latest developments in a number of priority files, “and the Egyptian efforts aimed at resolving disputes by peaceful means and creating the appropriate conditions for restoring stability.” Abdel Aty stressed “the importance of continuing active diplomatic action in implementation of presidential directives, and building on ongoing communications with various parties concerned, in a way that contributes to containing crises and preventing their expansion, while emphasizing the constants of the Egyptian position in support of the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of states.”