Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh held talks in New York on Thursday, emphasizing that the security and governance of the Red Sea remain the exclusive responsibility of Red Sea countries. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and coordinate positions on regional issues of common interest.
Abdelatty stressed the importance of continuing efforts to develop Egyptian-Eritrean relations and enhance cooperation across various fields in a way that serves the interests of both countries. He also highlighted the need to advance economic and trade cooperation with Eritrea, expressing hopes of increasing bilateral trade, encouraging joint investments, and supporting the participation of Egyptian private-sector companies in the Eritrean market.
Potential areas of cooperation between Egypt and Eritrea include mining, infrastructure, maritime transport, port connectivity and development, pharmaceuticals, and fisheries, as well as continued cooperation in capacity building. Abdelatty invited Eritrean business leaders and companies to participate in the Alamein Africa Business Forum, scheduled to take place from 2 to 4 October 2026.
The two ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Sudan and Somalia. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's consistent position in support of the security and stability of the region and stressed the importance of supporting national state institutions and preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of countries in the region.
Egypt and Eritrea agreed to continue coordination and consultations on regional issues of common interest. The meeting between Abdelatty and Saleh reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthening their bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced the meeting, highlighting the importance of cooperation between Egypt and Eritrea on regional issues. The two countries have been working together to promote stability and security in the Red Sea region.
Egypt's efforts to promote regional stability and security were also highlighted in Abdelatty's discussions with other foreign ministers, including those from Iran, Oman, and Turkey. He urged de-escalation in these meetings, emphasizing the need for calm and cooperation in the region.
Key points
- Egypt and Eritrea stress that Red Sea countries are responsible for the security and governance of the Red Sea.
- The two countries agree to continue coordination and consultations on regional issues of common interest.
- Egypt invites Eritrean business leaders to participate in the Alamein Africa Business Forum.
