OPEN// FM discusses with his Dutch counterpart over phone boosting bilateral ties
CAIRO, May 31 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty discussed with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp ways to strengthen bilateral relations and the exchange of views on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.
This came during a phone call Abdelatty had received from his Dutch counterpart Saturday.
Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Abdelatty praised the distinguished relations between the two countries in various fields, emphasizing Egypt's aspiration to enhance the economic partnership, attract more Dutch investments to Egypt and increase trade exchange between the two nations.
Khallaf added that the foreign minister highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands in multiple sectors, including logistics, development of ports, renewable energy, healthcare, digitization, infrastructure, financial services, Artificial intelligence, education, and scientific research.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation in the migration field, encompassing both the fight against illegal migration and the facilitation of regular migration.
The spokesperson noted that the call also tackled navigation security in the Red Sea.
Abdelatty reviewed the recent agreement in Yemen with the United States on maritime navigation security and international trade flow through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
He pointed out that the Dutch minister affirmed the Netherlands' readiness to encourage Dutch companies to resume navigation in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, contributing to restoring normal traffic levels.
The two ministers also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East region, particularly the catastrophic situation in Gaza.
During the call, Abdelatty condemned an Israeli decision to approve the construction of new settlements and its continued use of starvation as a weapon against civilians in Gaza, describing it as a blatant violation of international law.
For his part, the Dutch minister reiterated complete rejection of the Israeli settlement and stressed the need of ensuring the safe and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid into the war-torn strip. (MENA)
Y R E
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Egypt Today
5 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
5 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
5 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.