Egypt and Eritrea strengthen cooperation in the Red Sea and affirm rejection of external interference

Egypt and Eritrea stressed the importance of enhancing joint coordination to ensure the security and stability of the Red Sea, affirming that managing its security remains the exclusive responsibility of the littoral states, while rejecting any external interference in its security arrangements.

This came during a meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, during which they discussed developments in the Horn of Africa and underscored that its stability constitutes a direct extension of Egypt’s national security.

The meeting also addressed regional issues, including Sudan and Somalia, while reaffirming support for the unity and sovereignty of the countries of the region, in addition to exploring prospects for expanding economic cooperation in transport, ports, logistics, mining, fisheries, and pharmaceutical industries.

The two sides agreed to move toward strengthening maritime connectivity, including support for operating a shipping route between Egyptian and Eritrean ports across the Red Sea, in a way that would help boost trade movement between the two countries.