Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a series of high-level meetings on Monday on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, discussing bilateral cooperation and regional issues, with a focus on the Gaza crisis. Abdelatty met with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and the Speaker of the Slovenian National Assembly, Urška Klakočar Zupančič. In his meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Golob, Abdelatty stressed Egypt's interest in developing bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and investment spheres, and highlighted opportunities in energy, transport, and labour. He praised Slovenia's "balanced positions" on the Gaza crisis and its "honourable" decision last year to recognise the state of Palestine. Abdelatty urged the international community, led by the EU, to take responsibility for addressing Israel's "grave violations" against civilians and to exert real pressure to stop the escalation and the use of starvation as a weapon. During his meeting with EU High Representative Kallas, the Egyptian minister reiterated these concerns, briefing her on Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire and deliver aid. He stressed the need for the EU to take "serious and effective steps" to pressure Israel and warned against the danger of expanded military operations. The two officials also discussed the upcoming first Egypt-EU summit and the situations in Syria and Lebanon. Abdelatty's talks with Albanian Prime Minister Rama focused on strengthening the "extended friendship" between the two countries and building on recent progress to enhance economic, trade, and investment relations. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments in the Middle East and the Balkans. The Egyptian minister also met with the Speaker of the Slovenian National Assembly, Urška Klakočar Zupančič, where he praised the deep historical ties between the two countries, noting that Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to recognise Slovenia after its independence. He emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in serving common interests and expressed hope for support from Slovenian members of the European Parliament for relations with Egypt. Abdelatty praised Slovenia's supportive stances on Palestine, including its official recognition of the state and its hosting of wounded children from Gaza for rehabilitation. He stressed the importance of Slovenia's active participation in the reconstruction conference that Egypt plans to host once a ceasefire is reached.
