Egypt and Qatar advocate for US-Iran talks and Gaza ceasefire progression
via Egypt Today1 min read
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in Doha, calling for the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran. They urged regional efforts to de-escalate Middle East tensions and return to diplomacy, emphasizing the need for these efforts to lead to de-escalation, renewed negotiations, and adherence to the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran from mid-June. The ministers also discussed developments in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem, stressing the importance of implementing the first phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan and transitioning to its second phase. This meeting was part of ongoing consultations between Egypt and Qatar, with both ministers reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, especially in trade, economic ties, and investment opportunities.
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Egypt and the Philippines signed an agreement on Friday, July 24, granting immediate market access for five Egyptian agricultural commodities: grapes, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and carrots. The agreement was signed by Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, on the sidelines of the tenth round of political consultations between Egypt and the Philippines. The Philippine delegation was led by Maria Teresa Lázaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Both ministers described the agreement as a significant step towards strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation and marking the beginning of a new phase of partnership in food security. They expect the agreement to boost bilateral trade and advance shared economic interests. The ministers also highlighted ongoing coordination to complete procedures for Egyptian potato exports to the Philippine market. Additionally, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic cooperation by increasing Egyptian fertilizer exports, facilitating the registration of Egyptian medicines and food supplements in the Philippines, and promoting exports of Egyptian cotton fabrics and textiles.
Must ReadThe European Commission approved the disbursement of the second €1.5 billion installment to Egypt on July 24, 2026, as announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This transfer completes the €5 billion allocated to Egypt under the Macro-Financial Assistance program. The first installment of the second tranche, amounting to €1 billion, was disbursed in January 2026, following an initial €1 billion first tranche released in 2024. This decision is part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Egypt and the European Union, established in March 2024, and reflects the strong relationship and progress in cooperation between the two sides. The ministry stated that the partnership supports Egypt's efforts towards economic stability and sustainable development, and highlights the EU's confidence in Egypt's role in promoting regional security and stability in the Middle East, southern Mediterranean, and Africa. Egypt has been actively engaging with EU institutions to secure support for the political, economic, and security aspects of this partnership.
Must ReadThe foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have issued a joint statement strongly condemning Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif compound. They stated that repeated incursions by extremist Israeli ministers under police protection violate international law, UN resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo of holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. The ministers denounced mass incursions by settlers, the raising of the Israeli flag, and the erection of tents by Israeli police within the compound. They warned that these provocative actions fuel hatred and extremism, undermining efforts for a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. The statement also condemned incitement and calls for organized incursions by extremist groups and Israeli ministers, highlighting the threat to regional security. The ministers stressed that restrictions on access to Jerusalem's Old City and its places of worship, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, violate international humanitarian law and are an illegal attempt to alter the Holy City's character. They reiterated that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites, rejecting any attempts to alter their status. The statement affirmed the vital role of the historic Hashemite Custodianship and reaffirmed that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims. It concluded b