Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki on Friday to deliver a verbal message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing regional issues. During the meeting, Abdelatty and Afwerki discussed the development of bilateral relations across various sectors, as well as matters of mutual interest to both nations. According to Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit to Asmara was a follow-up to President El-Sisi's visit to the Eritrean capital in October 2024. The aim is to further activate the tripartite coordination mechanism between Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia. The first ministerial meeting was held in Cairo in January, and preparations are underway for the mechanism's second meeting in the near future. Khallaf added that the meeting featured a review of the relationship between Egypt and Eritrea and explored avenues for enhancing joint cooperation. Discussions also addressed shared regional concerns, primarily the situation in Africa and strategies to promote peace and security in the Horn of Africa. Particular attention was given to supporting Somalia in its fight against terrorism and its efforts to assert sovereignty over its entire territory. Furthermore, talks addressed developments in Sudan, emphasising the importance of providing support to the Sudanese state and its national institutions while preserving Sudan's unity and territorial integrity. The discussions included the situation in Libya and the Sahel region, as well as developments in the Red Sea. Egypt reiterated its stance against the involvement of any non-Red Sea littoral states in the security and governance of the Red Sea. President Afwerki conveyed his greetings and appreciation to President El-Sisi, expressing his desire to deepen bilateral relations across all fields. He added that closer relations would meet the aspirations of both nations and reflect the historical ties between Egypt and Eritrea.
