Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with European Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib, who is visiting Cairo for high-level consultations. The talks focused on the latest regional and international developments, along with steps to advance cooperation between Egypt and the European Union.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Abdelatty briefed the commissioner on the unfolding situation in the Gaza Strip and Egypt’s efforts to reinforce the ceasefire under the Sharm al-Sheikh Peace Agreement. He also highlighted preparations for Egypt’s upcoming International Conference on Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development of Gaza.

The minister underlined the urgent need to rebuild Gaza’s devastated infrastructure and to ensure the safe, swift, and unrestricted flow of humanitarian assistance. He welcomed the first meeting of the Palestine Donors Group in Brussels on November 20 and expressed hope that the EU and its member states would play a central role in financing reconstruction.

Abdelatty further stressed the importance of activating European support mechanisms for the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Authority, including backing for its budget.

Addressing regional developments

Turning to Sudan, he condemned the “grave violations” taking place in El Fasher and outlined Egypt’s diplomatic efforts through the Quartet Mechanism to halt the fighting and preserve the country’s unity and territorial integrity. He reiterated the need to guarantee humanitarian access, respect Sudanese sovereignty, and facilitate cooperation with international organizations on aid delivery.

Addressing the situations in Lebanon and Syria, Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s “unwavering support for the unity, sovereignty, security, and stability” of Lebanon. On Syria, he reiterated Egypt’s consistent call for respecting the country’s territorial integrity and rejecting any measures or external meddling that risk undermining stability. He also renewed Egypt’s support for reinvigorating a comprehensive political process that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.

On her part, Lahbib praised Egypt’s diplomatic role in promoting regional stability and its contributions toward securing a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. She reaffirmed the EU’s backing for Egypt’s efforts and stressed the Union’s commitment to further deepening its strategic partnership with Cairo.

Egypt steps up Gaza reconstruction preparations

In a related context, North Sinai Governor Khaled Magawer said that “the Egyptian state is exerting intensive efforts ahead of launching reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip,” describing the initiative as part of the understandings stemming from the Sharm El-Sheikh peace agreement.

Magawer said Egypt is fully prepared to move into the second phase of the Gaza agreement, which involves expanding humanitarian aid operations and beginning reconstruction.

He noted that North Sinai is “100% ready” to push assistance into Gaza, having prepared roads, storage facilities, and offloading points to ensure supplies can move “rapidly and efficiently” once the crossing fully reopens.

Magawer added that the governorate’s executive bodies have completed logistical and engineering plans in advance of the reconstruction phase. He underscored that Egypt is handling the file “with complete seriousness, as it forms part of its pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people and promoting stability in the region."