Egypt Calls for Restricting Responsibility for Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Security to Littoral States
Sudanhorizon – Agencies
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s firm rejection of any attempts to internationalize or militarize the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, stressing that the security and governance of this strategic maritime corridor are the exclusive responsibility of the Arab and African littoral states.
The remarks came during the minister’s meeting on Sunday in Cairo with Shaea Mohsen Al-Zindani, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Minister of Expatriate Affairs of the Republic of Yemen, as the two sides chaired the ninth round of the Egyptian-Yemeni Strategic Dialogue.
Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that Minister Abdelatty opened the talks by emphasizing the deep historical and brotherly ties between Egypt and Yemen, noting that holding the dialogue amid current regional challenges reflects the two countries’ commitment to coordinating positions on the issues and crises facing the region.
He added that the foreign minister reaffirmed Cairo’s steadfast support for Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity, as well as continued support for national state institutions and the legitimate government, enabling them to fulfill their role and achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people. He also reiterated Egypt’s full support for resuming the path toward a comprehensive political settlement under United Nations sponsorship.
Abdelatty also welcomed the recent detainee exchange agreement reached under UN auspices and with support from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, affirming Egypt’s readiness to provide various forms of political and diplomatic support to ensure the success of settlement efforts.
The discussions also addressed regional developments, particularly the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran. Minister Abdelatty expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would lead to a comprehensive agreement that takes into account the interests of all parties, contributes to strengthening regional security and stability, and spares the region the risks of escalation.
Regarding the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, both sides stressed the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach that is not limited to the security and military dimensions, but also includes the economic and developmental dimensions of the littoral states.
In this context, the Egyptian foreign minister reviewed Egypt’s efforts aimed at strengthening the national and institutional capacities of the region’s countries, pointing to the launch and activation of the “StREAM” initiative, which seeks to support governance and security in the Red Sea, in addition to the importance of accelerating the activation of the mechanisms of the Council of Arab and African States Bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
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