Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty of Egypt has reiterated his country’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation with Iraq, particularly in the spheres of trade, investment, and economic growth. This assertion came during discussions with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Baghdad on Saturday. The meeting took place amidst the 52nd session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations with Iraq
Abdelatty expressed anticipation for the upcoming visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister to Cairo scheduled for November 23. This visit is expected to invigorate the bilateral relationship between the two nations further. The Minister emphasized the importance of accelerating efforts under the trilateral cooperation framework involving Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan to advance priority joint projects. Moreover, he underscored Egypt’s unwavering support for Iraq’s unity, territorial integrity, and ongoing stability.
The two ministers also discussed pressing regional issues, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the attempts to implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan. They both acknowledged the necessity for closer coordination and consultation, stressing the importance of prioritizing political and diplomatic initiatives to achieve long-term security and stability in the region.
Building Ties with the Maldives
In addition to the discussions held in Baghdad, Abdelatty also explored ways to enhance bilateral cooperation with Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam. During their talks, he reinforced Egypt’s dedication to fostering a robust relationship with the Maldives, building on the dialogue initiated during the former Maldivian Foreign Minister’s visit to Egypt in October 2025. The two leaders discussed the activation of a memorandum of understanding related to political consultations and planned new rounds of talks. Abdelatty welcomed the establishment of an Egyptian-Maldivian parliamentary friendship association as a step toward strengthening ties.
The ministers identified key sectors for further collaboration, including agriculture, tourism, education, and healthcare. Abdelatty also commended Al-Azhar University’s mission in the Maldives for its role in teaching Arabic and Islamic sciences, emphasizing the importance of promoting moderate Islamic thought.
Enhancing Relationships with Tunisia
Additionally, Abdelatty met with Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti on the same day to address bilateral relations and regional developments. Both officials recognized the critical need to strengthen economic, trade, and investment partnerships and discussed the outcomes from the 18th session of the Egyptian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee. The emphasis was placed on enhancing bilateral relations to serve the shared interests of both nations.
The conversations also included discussions on significant regional developments, including issues related to the Gaza Strip, Libya, and Sudan. Both ministers agreed on the importance of ramping up consultation and coordination efforts to tackle regional challenges. They stressed the need to support initiatives aimed at resolving ongoing crises, ultimately promoting security, stability, and the unity and sovereignty of Arab states.
In summary, Egypt is actively seeking to solidify its international partnerships, with Iraq, the Maldives, and Tunisia being focal points for collaboration. Through these diplomatic engagements, Egypt aims to foster economic growth and stability within the region while supporting mutual objectives and shared interests.