Egypt’s FM, Hungarian counterpart discuss Israeli war on Gaza

CAIRO – 8 July 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptians Abroad, Badr Abdel-Aty, received on July 8, 2024, a phone call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, to congratulate him on assuming his new post.

The Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Egyptians Abroad, Director of the Public Diplomacy Department, Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, stated that Dr. Abdel-Aty expressed appreciation for the kind congratulations, and in turn congratulated his Hungarian counterpart on his country’s EU presidency as of the first of July, hailing the great momentum witnessed at the level of Egypt-Hungary relations over the past few years.

He stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen political relations between Egypt and Hungary, maintaining bilateral consultation frameworks and continuing to exchange high-level visits, expressing his aspiration to receive the Hungarian Minister in Cairo during his expected visit in September. Minister Abdel-Aty also thanked the Foreign Minister of Hungary for his country’s positions in support of Egypt within the European Union and all international forums, as well as Egypt’s aspiration to continuing this support, especially in light of the advanced relations between the two countries.

The Spokesperson added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration also emphasized Egypt’s aspiration to coordinate closely with Hungary on various files during its EU presidency in the second half of 2024, especially on issues of interest to both countries, as well as promoting aspects of joint cooperation in the economic fields and increasing investments and trade exchange, as well as enhancing cooperation with the Hungarian side in the field of joint manufacturing in Egypt, in addition to carrying on bilateral coordination in combating illegal immigration, as well as the Egyptian side’s desire for distinguished Hungarian universities to open branches in Egypt.

 Minister Abdel-Aty also reviewed the determinants of the Egyptian position regarding the current events in the Gaza Strip, stressing Egypt’s aspiration for the European Union, under the presidency of Hungary, to take constructive positions regarding the war in the Strip, by demanding a ceasefire, the provision of humanitarian aid, and initiating political talks leading to the establishment of the Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, in addition to halting the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, due to the grave dangers that the escalation may entail which may lead to destabilizing the region.

 Moreover, the Hungarian Minister expressed his aspiration to work jointly with Minister Abdel-Aty to continue the path of bolstering bilateral cooperation, and to benefit from the momentum witnessed in Egypt-Hungary relations in achieving further advancement of common interests in favor of the two friendly Egyptian and Hungarian peoples.