CAIRO – 14 April 2026: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdelatty, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his official visit to Washington on Tuesday.
Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the two ministers reviewed the comprehensive bilateral relations between the two nations.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership and consulted on the latest developments in the Middle East and several pressing regional issues, including military escalations, the Palestinian cause, and the situations in Sudan, Lebanon, and the Horn of Africa.
The ministers praised the depth of the strategic partnership, which has spanned more than four decades and achieved shared interests across all sectors, contributing significantly to regional security. Both parties expressed their aspiration to further develop these relations for mutual benefit.
On the economic front, Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of bolstering trade and investment cooperation, highlighting the diverse opportunities Egypt offers to attract new American investment.
He noted his anticipation for the second meeting of the Joint Economic Commission and for Cairo to host the second edition of the Egyptian-American Economic Forum in June 2026. This event, organized in coordination with the American Chamber of Commerce, aims to increase the volume of economic partnerships and attract new American companies to the Egyptian market.
Regarding regional developments, the two ministers discussed the current security landscape, including the progress of negotiations between the United States and Iran. Secretary Rubio briefed Minister Abdelatty on the efforts being made to bridge existing gaps to ensure regional stability.
The meeting also addressed the Palestinian issue, specifically the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the implementation of the second phase of the U.S. peace plan, and ongoing tensions in the West Bank.
On the conflict in Sudan, Minister Abdelatty stressed the necessity of preserving the country's unity and territorial integrity. He advocated for supporting Sudan's national institutions and launching a purely Sudanese-led political process.
Both ministers emphasized the urgency of reaching a humanitarian truce as a preliminary step toward a sustainable ceasefire to allow for the delivery of aid.
The discussions then turned to Lebanon. Minister Abdelatty stressed the importance of respecting Lebanon's sovereignty and empowering its national institutions—particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces. He called for an immediate ceasefire and the cessation of attacks to create space for diplomatic negotiations.
The meeting also touched upon the Horn of Africa, where Minister Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's steadfast position on respecting the sovereignty of regional nations, specifically Somalia and Eritrea.
Regarding water security, Abdelatty reiterated that the Nile River is an existential issue and a vital lifeline for the Egyptian people, especially given the region's severe water scarcity. He emphasized Egypt's commitment to cooperation in accordance with international law while rejecting any unilateral actions regarding transboundary rivers.
Secretary Rubio praised the strategic relations between Egypt and the United States, acknowledging the mutual benefits yielded by the partnership. He further commended Egypt's tireless efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.
The two ministers agreed to maintain close consultations and coordination on regional and international issues of common interest in the coming period.
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