FM lauds deep-rooted relations between Egypt, Netherlands

CAIRO – 4 March 2024: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has praised the depth of relations and cooperation between Egypt and the Netherlands in several domains.

The minister's remarks came on Monday at a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart Hanke Bruins Slot at the Foreign Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.

Egypt and the Netherlands also have good joint coordination on issues of mutual interest, Shoukry said.

The ministers held talks to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation, particularly in the field of green hydrogen.

The Dutch minister said their talks touched on regional and international issues, including the dreadful situation in the Gaza Strip.

Slot lauded the distinguished cooperation between the two countries in political, economic and energy fields, noting that the trade volume with Egypt hit nearly 2 billion euros.

Shoukry commended the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and the Netherlands in development projects, particularly in the domains of agriculture, water and renewable energy.

For her part, the Dutch minister shed light on ongoing contacts between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and the Dutch prime minister, lauding the good coordination between the two countries on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the war-devastated Gaza Strip.

Slot voiced hopes that the current negations on ceasefire in the enclave could be crowned with success to guarantee the provision of aid and the release of hostages.

She expressed concerns about a possible land attack on Rafah, urging the international community to act and respond to contain the situation and avoid any escalation in the Red Sea.

The Dutch minister also praised Egypt's great efforts on delivering humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip since the eruption of the crisis.