Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday urged the European Union to support efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and participate in a post-war reconstruction conference, during talks with top EU officials in Brussels on regional crises and their strategic partnership. During meetings on the sidelines of a ministerial summit, Abdelatty discussed the situation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica. The foreign minister briefed the officials on Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and to resolve outstanding issues in the negotiations. He stressed the need for an end to Israeli attacks, the siege on civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon, and called for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, according to a statement from his ministry. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land and said that once a ceasefire is announced, Egypt intends to host an international conference for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, expressing hope for broad European participation. The minister also praised the strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU and thanked the bloc for the recent approval of the second tranche of a €4 billion macro-financial assistance package for Egypt. The talks also covered the EU's planned "Pact for the Mediterranean," which it aims to launch by the end of the year to enhance political dialogue with southern Mediterranean countries. Abdelatty stressed the importance of the pact providing new sources of financing, mobilising more European investment, promoting free trade, and providing legal migration pathways. The meetings addressed a range of other regional issues. On Libya, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of respecting its sovereignty and implementing U.N. resolutions for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries. Regarding Syria, he stressed the need to support its unity and stability. Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt's support for the security and unity of Sudan, stressing the need to preserve its national institutions and end the humanitarian suffering of its people. He also affirmed Egypt's solidarity with Somalia and its support for the Somali government's efforts to restore security and strengthen state institutions.
