Egypt's FM, Dutch counterpart discuss latest situation in Gaza
CAIRO – 31 May 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdelatty received a phone call from his Dutch counterpart, Mr. Caspar Veldkamp to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on recent developments in the Gaza Strip.
Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdelatty praised the strong and multifaceted ties between Egypt and the Netherlands, highlighting Egypt's desire to deepen economic cooperation, attract increased Dutch investment, and expand trade between the two nations.
Minister Abdelatty underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration in a wide range of sectors, including logistics and port development, renewable energy, healthcare, digital transformation, infrastructure, financial services, artificial intelligence, education, and scientific research. He also emphasized the significance of joint efforts in the area of migration, including combating illegal migration and exploring pathways for legal migration.
The two ministers also discussed maritime security in the Red Sea. Minister Abdelatty reviewed the implications of the recent agreement between Yemen and the United States regarding maritime security and its impact on international trade routes through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
For his part, Minister Veldkamp acknowledged the strategic importance of the Suez Canal to Egypt and expressed his readiness to encourage Dutch companies to resume navigation in the Red Sea and Suez Canal, thereby contributing to the restoration of normal shipping operations.
The conversation also included an exchange of views on regional developments, with a particular focus on the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Minister Abdelatty expressed his appreciation for the Netherlands' position and the European Union's efforts concerning Israel's adherence to its Association Agreement with the EU. He stressed the need for the international community to uphold international law and reject double standards.
He further condemned Israel's recent decision to authorize new settlements and its continued use of starvation tactics against civilians in Gaza, describing these actions as collective punishment and a flagrant violation of international law.
Minister Veldkamp reiterated the Netherlands' rejection of Israeli settlement expansion and emphasized the urgent need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reaffirming the shared values and positions between Egypt and the Netherlands.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Today
2 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt Recovers a New Batch of Stolen Artifacts From France
As part of ongoing national efforts to safeguard Egypt's heritage and ancient legacy and in line with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to reclaim smuggled and stolen antiquities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has handed over a remarkable collection of recovered artifacts to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The retrieved items repatriated from France, date back to the Late Period and include a limestone votive coffin, a limestone statue of a man, a wooden statue of the god Anubis in jackal form, two detached wooden hands from painted coffins, three rare papyrus scrolls sealed with royal stamps, and a cylindrical container inscribed in hieroglyphics used to store scrolls. These artifacts were successfully recovered by the Egyptian Embassy in Paris in collaboration with the French Ministry of the Interior. Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, attended the handover ceremony held at the embassy in February, following the French authorities' successful interception of an attempted sale by smugglers. Egypt also took legal action, joining the case in Paris as a civil plaintiff, which resulted in the conviction of the defendants and a court-ordered compensation of €23,000 in Egypt's favor. This marks the third such handover this month. Earlier in May, Egypt received 25 rare artifacts from U.S. authorities via its Consulate in New York, followed by the return of 20 significant pieces from Australia through Egyptian missions in Canberra and Sydney.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, Qatar intensify efforts to broker Gaza ceasefire based on US proposal - Foreign Affairs
Egypt and Qatar continue to intensify their efforts to bridge differences and resolve outstanding issues in pursuit of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Cairo and Doha said in a joint statement on Sunday. In their joint statement, Egypt and Qatar said these efforts are based on US envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal. They aim to pave the way for resuming indirect negotiations. Egypt and Qatar, in coordination with the US, have reaffirmed their commitment to step up diplomatic efforts to overcome the obstacles facing the negotiation process. The two nations have called on all parties to act responsibly and to support the mediators in their efforts to end the crisis in Gaza and ultimately restore regional peace and stability. Furthermore, Egypt and Qatar hoped that mediation efforts would eventually lead to an agreement on a proposed 60-day temporary truce soon. They described the agreement as a stepping stone toward a permanent ceasefire. 'This would allow for an end to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Strip, the opening of crossings, and the entry of humanitarian and relief aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza,' the statement read. Moreover, the two countries stressed that the ceasefire should constitute the foundation for a comprehensive end to the war. It should also signal the beginning of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, in line with the plan the Cairo Arab summit endorsed on 4 March 2025. Witkoff's proposal offers a 60-day ceasefire with the staged release of 10 Israeli captives (four on day one, two on day 30, and four on day 60) and a phased return of Israeli bodies. However, the proposal does not guarantee extending the ceasefire beyond 60 days. On Saturday, Hamas presented its response to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's latest ceasefire proposal. Hamas's proposal includes, among other things, releasing 10 Israeli living captives and 18 bodies in exchange for an 'agreed-upon' but unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas announced earlier that it accepted a general framework proposed by Witkoff. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
2 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt FM receives phone call from U.S.' Steve Witkoff on ceasefire efforts
CAIRO - 1 June 2025: Badr Abdel Aaty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a Sunday phone call from U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff on joint efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. The discussion focused on efforts by Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar to reach a comprehensive agreement that guarantees a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and full humanitarian access to the besieged Strip, according to a statement by Egypt. Abdel Aaty emphasized 'the urgent need to stop the Israeli military operations in Gaza and to alleviate the grave humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people.' He reiterated Egypt's commitment to a permanent resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on a two-state solution that meets the 'legitimate aspirations of the region's peoples and aligns with President Trump's broader vision for comprehensive peace.' For his part, Witkoff said the U.S. deeply appreciates Egypt's pivotal mediation efforts and the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in pushing toward a diplomatic breakthrough, according to the statement.
