Egypt’s Prime Minister meets with Uzbek Foreign Minister, discusses bilateral ties, regional issues

CAIRO – 13 June 2026: Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly received Bakhtiyor Saidov, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, on Saturday morning, to discuss deepening bilateral ties and regional cooperation. 

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Mansurbek Kilichev, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Egypt, and Ambassador Amr Hamza, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian, Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Affairs.

Prime Minister Madbouly welcomed the Uzbek Foreign Minister, praising the growing momentum and shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He expressed Egypt's strong aspiration to bolster cooperation across numerous sectors of mutual interest.

Madbouly affirmed Egypt's keenness to maintain diplomatic coordination with Uzbekistan in international forums. He emphasized the importance of driving economic cooperation through joint projects and investments to boost trade volume, capitalizing on the untapped potential of both nations. To achieve this, the Prime Minister advocated for the establishment of an Egyptian-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce, the convening of a joint business council, and the continuation of negotiations toward a preferential free trade agreement.

Highlighting Egypt’s strategic location, the Prime Minister noted that Cairo offers Uzbekistan a vital gateway to Middle Eastern and African markets. He also lauded the positive contributions of Egyptian companies operating in Uzbekistan, particularly in the infrastructure sector and electrical appliance manufacturing, while pointing to promising opportunities for joint pharmaceutical production.

Turning to regional dynamics, the meeting addressed ongoing geopolitical developments. The Prime Minister outlined Egypt's active efforts to resolve regional crises, de-escalate tensions, and enhance stability, with a specific focus on Cairo's diplomatic efforts regarding the Palestinian cause.

For his part, Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov  expressed his deep appreciation for the warm hospitality he received in Cairo. He conveyed the greetings of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, commending President El-Sisi's leadership in navigating regional crises.

Mr. Saidov emphasized that his visit represents a significant step forward for bilateral relations. He affirmed Uzbekistan's keen interest in launching joint infrastructure projects and expanding trade to levels that reflect the strong political ties between the two nations.

The Uzbek Foreign Minister mirrored Dr. Madbouly’s sentiments on logistics, noting that while Egypt serves as a gateway to neighboring Arab and African markets, Uzbekistan offers Egypt a strategic entry point into Central Asian markets. He outlined several lucrative avenues for collaboration, including manufacturing agricultural equipment by leveraging Egypt's free zones, alongside potential partnerships in the automotive, fertilizer, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, he proposed fostering direct cooperation between the two countries’ economic zones, industrial cities, and regional governorates.

Mr. Saidov praised Egypt's recent economic development, noting that Uzbekistan’s own robust economic growth creates a highly compatible environment for deep commercial synergy.

On foreign policy, the Uzbek minister affirmed his country’s unwavering support for efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue and establish an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also highlighted Uzbekistan's ongoing humanitarian and medical support for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. The two sides also agreed to sustain mutual support within international forums, particularly the Non-Aligned Movement.

Concluding the meeting, Dr. Madbouly stated that he has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration to swiftly implement all proposed cooperation initiatives, charting a clear path forward for the bilateral partnership.