FM meets Indonesian counterpart on sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

CAIRO – 24 July 2026: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, met on Friday with his Indonesian counterpart, Sugiono, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Philippines.

Minister Abdelatty emphasized the high priority Egypt places on strengthening ties with the Republic of Indonesia. He reaffirmed Cairo's commitment to following up on agreements reached by the political leadership of both nations, building upon recent high-level visits to propel bilateral cooperation toward broader horizons and shared interests.

The Foreign Minister affirmed that Egypt is increasingly focused on deepening relations across Asia and expanding its partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He cited ASEAN's growing role in maintaining regional security, fostering economic development, and offering vast opportunities for multilateral collaboration. Commending Indonesia’s role as the host country of the ASEAN Secretariat, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's commitment to reinforcing its institutional relations with the bloc since acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2016.

Within multilateral frameworks, Minister Abdelatty stressed the importance of continued consultation across international and regional forums. He praised the reciprocal support for both nations' candidates in international organizations, as well as their aligned stances on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones. Furthermore, he noted Cairo's commitment to coordinating closely with Jakarta within the Developing Eight (D-8) Economic Cooperation Organization, expressing anticipation for active engagement during Indonesia's D-8 chairmanship for the 2026–2027 term.

On the economic front, Minister Abdelatty expressed a desire for trade and investment levels to reflect the strategic partnership between the two countries. He highlighted the competitive advantages offered by the Suez Canal Economic Zone as a regional industrial and logistical hub providing access to African and Arab markets. He also underscored the need to bolster agricultural cooperation and remove non-tariff barriers currently hindering Egyptian fruit and vegetable exports to the Indonesian market.

Turning to regional developments, Minister Abdelatty stressed the urgent need for concerted international efforts to end ongoing crises through peaceful diplomatic solutions grounded in international law and the UN Charter. He reaffirmed Egypt's firm rejection of all attacks targeting Arab nations, emphasizing the necessity of respecting state sovereignty and good neighborliness.

Regarding the Gaza Strip, Minister Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s appreciation for Indonesia’s position supporting Egyptian mediation efforts, opposing the displacement of Palestinians, and advocating for full humanitarian aid access. He commended the relief aid provided by Indonesia to the Palestinian people, praising the close coordination between both nations in international forums on the Palestinian cause.