CAIRO, May 18 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty on Sunday affirmed Egypt's appreciation of the long-standing strategic partnership with the US since more than four decades, serving shared interests in all political, economic and military fields.

Abdelatty made the remarks during a meeting with Senior Advisor to the US President on Arab, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Massad Boulos, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf.

The foreign minister welcomed the US official on his first visit to Egypt, expressing eagerness to continue working with the US administration under President Donald Trump to strengthen bilateral relations in all fields, the spokesman added.

The two sides exchanged views on several regional issues, particularly the challenges to peace and security in Africa.

They discussed developments in the Horn of Africa, Sudan, Libya, and eastern the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s efforts to support security and stability in the aforementioned African countries, promote the concept of the nation-state, and foster development across Africa by empowering national institutions and safeguarding territorial unity and integrity.

He underscored Egypt’s active role in promoting peace, stability, and post-conflict reconstruction on the continent.

The top Egyptian diplomat stressed the importance of mobilizing international support to alleviate humanitarian suffering in conflict-affected areas, the spokesman said, adding that Abdelatty has highlighted Egypt’s dynamic contributions to the African continent.

This includes the efforts of the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development and the Egyptian Export and Investment Guarantee Agency in Africa, which is capitalized at $600 million and aims to boost economic cooperation and open new avenues for trade and partnership, Abdelatty stated.

He added that Egypt has allocated $100 million for development projects in countries of the Southern Nile Basin.

Abdelatty and Boulos discussed ways to enhance trilateral cooperation in Africa, in light of the mutual objectives to support peace, security, development, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the spokesman said.

He added that the meeting addressed means of enhancing economic, trade, and investment relations between Egypt and the US.

Abdelatty reviewed Egypt’s serious steps toward economic reform and investment attraction, highlighting the opportunities available to US companies in a way that serves the shared interests of both countries.

He pointed to the promising investment opportunities within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), encouraging US companies to seize the area’s potential, especially in logistics, energy, and manufacturing sectors.

The two sides reviewed recent developments in Libya, with Abdelatty reaffirming Egypt’s unwavering stance toward its neighboring country and the importance of preserving its unity, stability, and territorial integrity.

He stressed the importance of the withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries form Libya, underscoring Egypt's total rejection of illegal foreign military presence on Libyan territories.

The meeting also touched on developments in Lebanon, the spokesman said, noting that Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s continued support for Lebanon, its government, and national institutions in the pursuit of security and stability.

Concerning the situation in Syria, the foreign minister emphasized Egypt’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people and respecting the country’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

For his part, Boulos praised the close relations between Egypt and the United States and commended Egypt’s pivotal role in fostering regional security and stability, both in Africa and the Middle East.

He expressed a strong desire to work closely to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries in the coming period, the spokesman went on to say. (MENA)

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