Outcomes of the Egyptian-Russian foreign ministers’ talks

🟢On September 23, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The two ministers discussed the development of bilateral ties and a broad range of regional issues, including the crises in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, and Libya, developments in the Horn of Africa, and maritime security in the Red Sea.

🟢The ministers highlighted the positive momentum in bilateral relations following the meeting between the Egyptian and Russian presidents at the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 11. According to the Egyptian side, bilateral trade now stands at around $10 billion.

🟢A primary focus of the talks was advancing major investment and infrastructure projects. The El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant remains a cornerstone of Russian-Egyptian economic cooperation. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the implementation of the El Dabaa NPP and the Russian industrial zone project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Egyptian authorities view Russia’s selection of a developer for the industrial zone in July 2026 as a crucial step toward realizing the project.

🟢The two ministers also discussed expanding tourism and direct air links.

🟢Regional issues dominated the remainder of the discussions. Abdelatty reaffirmed Cairo’s position that resolving the Palestinian issue is a prerequisite for long-term peace in the Middle East. Egypt reiterated support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders that existed before June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

🟢On Sudan and Libya, the two sides emphasized the need for political settlements, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both states, and continued diplomatic coordination. Cairo supports preserving the unity of Sudan and its state institutions. For Libya, the Egyptian position calls for supporting a Libyan-led political process, unifying state institutions, and moving toward presidential and parliamentary elections.

🟢The foreign ministers also focused heavily on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, including issues of maritime security and global trade. This is especially critical for Egypt amid continuing risks to shipping in the area of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and other regional maritime routes.

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