Egypt and Eritrea affirm Red Sea security is exclusive responsibility of littoral states
via Egypt Today1 min read
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh met in Cairo to discuss Red Sea security, regional crises, and bilateral ties. Both ministers reiterated that the security and governance of the Red Sea are the sole responsibility of the bordering countries. They rejected any attempts by non-littoral parties to impose security arrangements or roles in the strategic waterway, which they stated would violate international law. Abdelatty also outlined Egypt's stance on the situations in Sudan and Somalia, emphasizing Egypt's commitment to regional security and stability in the Horn of Africa. He stressed the importance of supporting national state institutions, preserving unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and rejecting unilateral measures that could undermine stability. Egypt and Eritrea have increased coordination on Red Sea security due to growing threats to navigation and rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. The presidents of both countries previously affirmed their cooperation on safeguarding the Red Sea and ensuring freedom of navigation.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional developments. The ministers acknowledged the growing momentum in Egyptian-Greek relations and committed to deepening political and economic ties. Abdelatty highlighted Greece's support for Egypt within European Union institutions and emphasized the importance of the tripartite cooperation mechanism involving Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus. He stressed the need to expand trade, economic, and investment ties among the three nations. Abdelatty also reviewed Egypt's diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and reiterated Cairo's support for dialogue and diplomacy to restore stability. The officials agreed to maintain close consultation and coordination to support regional de-escalation efforts.
Must ReadThe Permanent Committee for Regulating the Nile River's Flow, chaired by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem, convened to assess the Nile's flow and Egypt's water situation during peak demand. The committee reviewed developments concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam GERD, labeling its operation as illegal and a violation of international law due to the absence of a binding agreement for its filling and operation. They discussed fluctuations in downstream discharge caused by the dam's unilateral operation and emphasized the need for downstream dam operators to update scenarios for efficient water management. The committee also analyzed rainfall across the Nile Basin and water inflows from the Blue Nile, White Nile, and Atbara River, noting above-average flow in June but below-average in July. They anticipate a clearer flood season assessment after early August and are monitoring climate patterns like El Ni帽o and La Ni帽a. Minister Sweilem directed continuous monitoring of hydrological and climate indicators and regular updates to forecasts to ensure optimal water resource management. He affirmed the Aswan High Dam's crucial role in Egypt's water security due to its storage capacity and operational flexibility.
On Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad Badr Abdelatty met with Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to the U.S. President for Arab and African Affairs, to discuss regional developments and issues of mutual interest. The meeting reaffirmed the strength of the Egyptian-U.S. strategic partnership and their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. Discussions covered Egypt's efforts to support security and stability in Sudan, emphasizing a sustainable ceasefire and a Sudanese-led political process. The situation in Libya was also addressed, with Abdelatty reiterating Egypt's support for Libya's unity, national institutions, and the need for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. Developments in the Horn of Africa were discussed, with Abdelatty highlighting the region's importance to Egypt's national security and the need to respect sovereignty and reject destabilizing actions. On water security, Abdelatty stressed adherence to international law for transboundary water resources and rejected unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin, calling water security an existential issue for Egypt. Boulos praised Egypt's role in promoting regional security and stability, emphasizing continued coordination between Cairo and Washington.