Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's full support for Eritrea's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity during talks on Sunday, July 19, 2026, with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh.

The two ministers discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and coordinate stands on issues of mutual interest.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tamim Khallaf said that Abdelatty highlighted deep historical ties between Egypt and Eritrea and outcomes of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki's recent visit to Egypt, noting that it had helped advance bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

He also stressed the importance of building on the outcomes of the Eritrean president's economic adviser's visit to Egypt in April 2026, as well as the joint visit to Asmara in May by the Egyptian ministers of foreign affairs and transport accompanied by a delegation of Egyptian business representatives. He said this included implementing a maritime transport cooperation agreement signed in Asmara.

The Egyptian minister said he hoped to expand bilateral trade, encourage joint investments and increase the participation of Egyptian private-sector companies in the Eritrean market, particularly in mining, infrastructure, maritime transport, port connectivity and the development and modernization of Eritrean ports, as well as pharmaceuticals, fisheries and housing.

He also called for enhanced technical cooperation through capacity-building programs organized by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development to meet Eritrea's development priorities.

On Red Sea security, the two ministers said the security and governance of the Red Sea are the exclusive responsibility of the littoral states. They rejected any attempts by non-littoral states to impose security arrangements or roles in the region or to expand their maritime presence in violation of international law.

Khallaf said that the ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa. In this regard, Abdelatty outlined Egypt's stance on the situations in Sudan and Somalia, reiterating Cairo's commitment to preserving security and stability in the Horn of Africa, which it considers a direct extension of Egypt's national security.

He also underscored the importance of supporting national state institutions, preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region, and rejecting any unilateral measures that could undermine state sovereignty or regional stability.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty welcomes his Eritrean counterpart, Osman Saleh, in Cairo, 19 July 2026. Cabinet