Egypt assumes presidency of Union for Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly - Foreign Affairs
Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, Mohamed Abou El-Enein, was unanimously elected as PA-UfM President with the support of 43 parliamentary leaders across the Mediterranean. He succeeds Spanish Parliament President Francina Armengol.
Egypt's regional priorities
In his address, Abou El-Enein presented Egypt's strategic vision for addressing ongoing crises in the Mediterranean. He praised the Assembly's efforts to advance regional development and integration. Still, he warned that instability—particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza—continues to threaten cooperation among member states.
Describing Israel's war on Gaza as 'brutal aggression' amounting to genocide, Abou El-Enein accused Israel of seeking to expand regional conflict and obstruct diplomatic efforts. He reiterated Egypt's rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians. He underscored President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's stance in support of a two-state solution.
'A just and lasting peace in the Middle East is a prerequisite for genuine regional cooperation,' he said, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He also commended President El-Sisi's handling of tensions involving Israel and Iran, positioning Egypt as a stabilizing force in the region.
Assembly members echo support
Several members of the Assembly echoed Egypt's concerns, condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and calling for accountability. They voiced support for Egypt's opposition to the displacement of Palestinians. They backed the two-state solution as the foundation for lasting peace.
Egypt's role in the PA-UfM
Abou El-Enein stressed that Egypt's diplomatic approach—both parliamentary and governmental—prioritizes dialogue and cooperation. He noted that Egypt is assuming the presidency during a critical period for the Euro-Mediterranean region, which is facing mounting challenges to both security and development.
He thanked the Spanish Parliament for its leadership during its term and reaffirmed Egypt's longstanding commitment to the PA-UfM. He described the Assembly as a crucial platform for dialogue and coordination among Mediterranean countries.
Parliamentary leaders also praised Egypt's early recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza. They expressed confidence in El-Sisi's leadership in promoting regional stability.
Upcoming UfM events in Egypt
According to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), Egypt will host a preparatory meeting of the PA-UfM Bureau in Sharm El-Sheikh from 11–14 September. An international conference on political and economic issues in the Mediterranean is also scheduled for 28–30 November.
The PA-UfM serves as a regional platform for fostering political dialogue and cooperation among countries bordering the Mediterranean through parliamentary diplomacy.
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