Egypt Stands Firm: Foreign Minister Affirms Resolve

Minister reviewed the global and regional landscape, highlighting the challenges Egypt faces and the threats to regional stability

By Khaled Suleiman – Tunis

On the evening of Friday, April 18, 2025, during a warm gathering with the Egyptian community in Tunisia, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty personally greeted every attendee, conveying the greetings of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and reaffirming the political leadership’s commitment to engaging with Egyptians abroad, listening to their concerns, and working to resolve their issues.

In his address, the minister reviewed the global and regional landscape, highlighting the challenges Egypt faces and the threats to regional stability — foremost among them the crimes committed by the Israeli aggression in Gaza, which he described as violations of international humanitarian law. He emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, is bound by the four Geneva Conventions to abide by the laws of war.

The minister clarified that Egypt’s Rafah border crossing remains open 24/7, stating that the issue lies not with Egypt, but with the other side of the crossing, which has been occupied and destroyed by Israel. He reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian cause and its solidarity with the Palestinian people, despite conspiracies, challenges, and political posturing.

He questioned the persistent claims that the Rafah crossing is closed from the Egyptian side, noting the silence regarding the five crossings under Israeli control that remain shut, enabling a policy of starvation and ethnic cleansing.

The minister reiterated Egypt’s absolute rejection of any forced or voluntary displacement of Palestinians, underlining Egypt’s longstanding support for Palestinian rights and its consistent backing since the outset of the conflict.

He went on to highlight Egypt’s recent domestic achievements, noting an infrastructure investment of $550 million. Key accomplishments included the addition and upgrade of 7,000 kilometers of roads, the establishment of new cities, a significant overhaul of the transportation and rail sectors, and the launch of an electric train project connecting Ain Sokhna port to the Mediterranean Sea.

He also discussed developments in the banking sector and improvements in services for Egyptians working abroad, praising their vital role in supporting Egypt’s economy, which is beginning to recover and benefit from recent reforms. Despite major losses due to regional instability — including $800 million in monthly losses from disruptions to Suez Canal traffic caused by Red Sea tensions — Egypt has managed to attract new investments. This resilience comes in the face of global crises ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to inflation, trade wars, and rising taxes.

The minister praised the strength of Egypt-Tunisia relations and expressed appreciation for President Kais Saied’s supportive stance, particularly his declaration during a historic visit to Egypt that “Egypt’s water security is part of Tunisia’s national security.” He relayed President Sisi’s greetings to President Saied and affirmed the commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty noted that in his meeting with his Tunisian counterpart, Mohamed Ali Nafti, they addressed consular issues and discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. He indicated that Egypt-Tunisia relations are set to witness a positive shift in the near future.

The meeting concluded with the minister responding to questions and concerns from members of the Egyptian community, promising solutions to their challenges. The attendees expressed full support for their homeland and praised the efforts of Ambassador Bassem Hassan, Egypt’s envoy to Tunisia. Despite being in the post for less than a year, his proactive engagement — including hosting a recent Ramadan iftar at his residence — reflected the Egyptian state’s genuine care for its citizens abroad.

The event ended after 8 p.m., with the minister heading straight to continue his mission, foregoing rest since arriving in Tunisia from Algeria. In Algeria, he had delivered a message from President Sisi to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and held talks with his Algerian counterpart to boost bilateral ties and align regional positions amid ongoing global developments.

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