Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh on September 24, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly meetings. The two ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and coordinate stances on regional issues of mutual interest. According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of continuing to develop Egyptian-Eritrean relations and promoting cooperation in various fields to serve the interests of both nations.
During the meeting, Abdelatty expressed Egypt's full support for Eritrea's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The Egyptian minister also highlighted the need to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. He expressed hope for increasing the volume of trade exchange, encouraging joint investments, and supporting the participation of the Egyptian private sector in the Eritrean market, particularly in mining, infrastructure, maritime transport, and pharmaceutical industries.
Abdelatty invited the Eritrean business community to participate in the Africa Business Forum, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the African Union's Mid-Year Summit in Alexandria from October 2-4, 2026. The Eritrean Foreign Minister reciprocated the invitation, and the two sides agreed to continue coordination and consultation on regional issues of mutual interest.
Regarding the security of the Red Sea, both ministers stressed that the security and governance of the waterway remain the exclusive responsibility of the coastal states. They also exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Sudan and Somalia. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's stance in support of regional security and stability, emphasizing the importance of supporting national institutions and preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of regional countries.
The two ministers reviewed the current state of bilateral relations, focusing on areas of cooperation such as capacity building and economic development. Egypt's ambassador to Eritrea, as well as other senior officials, attended the meeting. The Eritrean Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for Egypt's support and looked forward to further strengthening ties between the two nations.
In line with efforts to boost economic cooperation, Egypt's Foreign Ministry announced plans to facilitate Eritrean participation in Egyptian-led regional initiatives. These initiatives aim to promote economic integration and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa. The two countries also explored opportunities for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, energy, and infrastructure development.
The meeting between Abdelatty and Saleh concluded with a commitment to further enhance bilateral cooperation and maintain regular communication to address regional challenges. The two ministers agreed to work closely together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Key areas of cooperation are expected to include economic development, maritime security, and regional stability.
Key points
- Egypt and Eritrea have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on economic cooperation, regional stability, and support for national institutions in the Horn of Africa.
