To secure maritime navigation in the Red Sea and ensure the safety of the region and the Horn of Africa, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aati visited Djibouti and Somalia where he discussed several important files. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated that Minister Abdel Aati held two extensive bilateral discussions with his Djiboutian and Somali counterparts on Friday, followed by press conferences in both countries, amidst the inauguration ceremony of a new airline route connecting Egypt with the two Arab nations.
**Security of the Red Sea and Freedom of Navigation**
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesperson and head of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, stated that the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as health, electricity, solar energy, communications, information technology, and education. He added that the discussions also addressed the security of the Red Sea and the protection of international navigation, especially since Egypt and Djibouti are among the nations most affected by developments in this important trade route.
The two ministers exchanged views on the political and security situations in the Horn of Africa, the growing phenomenon of terrorism and extremism, and the importance of continued cooperation between the Djiboutian Center for Moderation and Al-Azhar in countering extremist ideas.
In a related context, Ambassador Abu Zeid mentioned that Minister Abdel Aati held an extensive bilateral meeting with Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Fiqi, where both sides agreed on the importance of intensifying political consultation mechanisms and coordination between the two countries, building on what has been achieved in terms of rapprochement in recent years.
**Discussion on Sudan**
The official spokesperson added that the Egyptian Foreign Minister emphasized during the discussions Egypt's interest in enhancing relations with Horn of Africa countries, particularly Somalia, and its desire to contribute to supporting stability in the region. He noted that this issue is increasingly important given the significant challenges facing the region, which require the unity of all countries in the area to confront them. Abdel Aati also discussed with his Somali counterpart the situation in Sudan and ways to support efforts for a political settlement to resolve the crisis and restore stability and security in that brotherly country.
