Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a series of meetings with his counterparts from Russia, Ukraine, and Poland on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum in the United Arab Emirates. The meetings, which took place on November 13 and 14, focused on pressing for a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine and ensuring the protection of grain supplies that Egypt relies on. Abdelatty met with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday, and Russia's Sergei Lavrov and Poland's Radosław Sikorski on Saturday.
During his meeting with Lavrov, Abdelatty praised the strategic partnership between Egypt and Russia, highlighting the recent meeting between President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa summit in October. The two ministers discussed the impact of regional tensions on maritime security, international trade, and food security. Abdelatty emphasized the need for greater international efforts to secure shipping lanes and keep strategic goods flowing.
Abdelatty's meeting with Sybiha focused on Egypt's support for a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. The two ministers expressed a desire to expand ties in trade, food security, and energy. Abdelatty also highlighted Egypt's interest in hosting a global center for storing, supplying, and trading grain, citing its geography, infrastructure, and logistics. He reiterated Egypt's call for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
In his meeting with Sikorski, Abdelatty expressed pride in the historic relations between Egypt and Poland, which will mark their centenary in 2027. The two ministers discussed the war in Ukraine, with Abdelatty reiterating Egypt's support for a peaceful settlement through dialogue and diplomacy. They also emphasized the need to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and keep grain supply chains stable.
Abdelatty also met with Serbia's Foreign Minister Marko Đurić during the forum. The meetings demonstrate Egypt's active engagement in international diplomacy, particularly in addressing the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine. Egypt's reliance on grain imports makes the stability of global supplies a critical concern for the country.
The Sir Bani Yas Forum provides a platform for international leaders to engage in dialogue and cooperation on key issues. Abdelatty's meetings with Lavrov, Sybiha, Sikorski, and Đurić reflect Egypt's commitment to fostering partnerships and addressing global challenges. The forum takes place in the United Arab Emirates, a key player in regional diplomacy and cooperation.
The conflict in Ukraine has significant implications for global food security, particularly for countries like Egypt that rely heavily on grain imports. Abdelatty's efforts to promote a peaceful settlement and ensure the stability of grain supplies are critical to addressing these challenges. Egypt's engagement in international diplomacy aims to mitigate the consequences of the conflict and promote cooperation on key issues.
Key points
- Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish counterparts to discuss the Ukraine conflict and grain supplies.
- Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's support for a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy.
- Egypt is keen to host a global center for storing, supplying, and trading grain, citing its geography, infrastructure, and logistics.
