The Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper, in London on Tuesday, May 19, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and regional de-escalation efforts.
According to an official statement released in Cairo, “Egypt attaches great importance to strengthening its economic relations with the United Kingdom and aspires to attract more British investment,” said Abdelatty, noting that London is among the largest cumulative investors in Egypt.
The minister called for boosting cultural, educational, and defense cooperation, according to the same source.
British investment in Egypt reached approximately £20.6 billion by the end of February 2025, spread across 2,103 British companies operating in various sectors, according to a report by the Council of Ministers.
The Egyptian minister welcomed the positive developments in bilateral relations, expressing his desire to continue implementing the various mechanisms of the Egypt-UK Association Agreement, concluded in December 2020. Signed on December 5, 2020, and entering into force on January 1, 2021, this agreement provides a strategic and trade framework between the two countries, maintaining free trade and exempting industrial products from customs duties.
On the geopolitical front, discussions between the two sides focused on regional developments, particularly support for the negotiation process between the United States and Iran to halt the escalation.
“Egypt firmly advocates prioritizing diplomacy and negotiations as the only way to address the current crisis,” Abdelatty stated.
The minister warned of the “disastrous economic repercussions of continued tensions,” emphasizing the need to guarantee freedom of navigation on international waterways. Regarding the Gaza Strip, Abdelatty urged the international community to ensure the full implementation of the commitments of the second phase of the US plan and to guarantee the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, the statement added.
He also commended the UK’s stance on the Palestinian cause, “culminating in the recognition of the State of Palestine.”
Discussions also covered Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, the Horn of Africa and water security, according to the statement.
For her part, Yvette Cooper praised Egypt’s continued efforts for stability in the Middle East, reaffirming London’s commitment to elevating bilateral relations to new heights, the statement added.
AK/Sf/fss/gik/APA