Egypt FM urges unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza amid ongoing famine - Foreign Affairs
Abdelatty made these remarks during a press conference with Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat and Germany's Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan.
During the press conference, Abdelatty asserted that the displacement of Palestinians from their land is a red line that will not be tolerated under any circumstances, stressing international rejection of such plans.
The Egyptian FM stressed that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank is blatant and unacceptable and that it has crossed all boundaries.
He further emphasised the importance of broadening efforts to achieve recognition of the Palestinian State in line with the two-state solution.
Abdelatty also touched on the latest developments in the Gaza ceasefire talks. He highlighted Egypt's intensive efforts, alongside Qatar and the US, to reach a deal swiftly. "We hope that a deal will be reached soon," the Egyptian FM said.
Gaza reconstruction
During the press conference, Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's ongoing arrangements to host the international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza immediately after the announcement of a ceasefire deal.
He noted that the conference will align with the Arab-Islamic plan for Gaza reconstruction, while ensuring the Palestinian people remain on their land.
"We look forward to Germany's participation in the conference," Abdelatty said during the press conference.
He confirmed that Egypt's vision for Gaza reconstruction has been finalised in coordination with the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Palestinian government, stressing the need to mobilise the necessary financial resources to rebuild Gaza.
Abdelatty indicated that the conference will include workshops addressing the security arrangements, governance, and administration in Gaza.
He said that the top priority during the first six months following a ceasefire will be the early recovery while ensuring the Palestinian people remain on their land in Gaza.
For her part, the German official said that the situation in Gaza is "extremely fragile."
Israel's deliberate starvation of Gaza's population is deepening the humanitarian catastrophe and sparking global condemnation.
On Sunday, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warned that Israel is starving civilians in Gaza, including one million children.
Last week, UNICEF reported that 112 children are being admitted to Gaza's hospitals each day for treatment of acute malnutrition and severe wasting.
Since June, at least 620 people have already died from hunger, including 70 children.
Moreover, hospitals in Gaza are receiving a growing number of fainting cases due to severe hunger that is exhausting the citizens.
Economic cooperation
During the press conference, the Egyptian FM said that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has directed efforts to strengthen ties with Germany. He expressed Cairo's keenness to elevate relations with Berlin to the level of a strategic partnership.
Abdelatty praised Germany's constructive role in supporting development projects in Egypt. He looked forward to strengthening the strategic partnership with Germany in energy, regulated migration and labour mobility, water resource management, vocational training, and cooperation in Africa.
Abdelatty also emphasised the importance of boosting economic, trade, and investment cooperation, which holds promising opportunities in light of the economic reforms Egypt has undertaken to improve the business climate and attract foreign investments. He extended an invitation to German companies to expand their investments in various sectors in Egypt.
For her part, Al-Mashat highlighted the strategic ties between Egypt and the EU. She reviewed key features of Egypt's economic and social development plan. She also reviewed Egypt's structural reforms and plans to transition the economy to tradable and export-oriented sectors.
Furthermore, Al-Mashat highlighted the implementation of several projects within the debt swap programme with Germany. She also stressed the importance of exploring new mechanisms for innovative financing.
Moreover, Al-Mashat noted the importance of enhancing South-South cooperation and trilateral cooperation through German partnerships to support efforts in transferring Egyptian development expertise to developing and emerging countries.
Water security
During a meeting that brought together Abdelatty, Al-Mashat, and the German official, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam addressed Egypt's water security file and the latest developments related to the Nile River, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.
Sewilam highlighted Germany's extensive expertise in sound regional governance of shared water resources. He noted that Egypt's position on shared water resources is based on respect for relevant international law, ensuring mutual benefits, and consideration of the interests of all countries in the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).
Sewilam strongly rejected any unilateral actions that violate international law in the Eastern Nile Basin, noting Egypt's deep relations with the Nile Basin countries and its support for their development, especially after Egypt played an essential role in launching a new mechanism for financing and mobilising funds for projects in those countries.
For her part, the German minister affirmed that Egypt will remain a significant partner to her country, emphasising that Berlin values its strong relations with Cairo.
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