Foreign Secretary will travel to Egypt on
Wednesday, 17th June, to discuss next steps on restoring the
right of transit passage in the Strait of Hormuz, and renewing
progress on the 20-point Gaza Peace Plan.
The Foreign Secretary will also discuss other key priorities for
UK cooperation with the Egyptian government, from trade and
national security to migration and green energy, as well as the
efforts being made by both countries to secure a ceasefire and
humanitarian relief in Sudan.
On Thursday, 18th June, the Foreign Secretary will meet with her
counterpart, Foreign Minister Abdelatty, to co-chair the UK-Egypt
Association Council, where they will take stock of the two
countries' strengthening bilateral relationship and discuss
shared opportunities and challenges across growth, migration and
regional security. The ratcheting up of UK-Egypt engagement comes
ahead of the launch of a formal Strategic Partnership later this
year.
The two foreign ministers will also discuss conflicts in the
wider region where the UK and Egypt are aligned in their efforts
to secure lasting stability and peace:
- Following the announcement of a US-Iranian deal to be signed
at the end of the week, the Foreign Secretary will maintain her
push to restore the right of transit passage through the Strait
of Hormuz, without any form of tolls or
unlawful restrictions.
- On Gaza, where Egypt played a central role in brokering last
October's ceasefire, the Foreign Secretary and her counterpart
will discuss the work being done to ensure humanitarian access to
those in the greatest need, and implement the transitional
governance and security arrangements set out in the 20-point
Peace Plan. In Cairo, the Foreign Secretary will also meet the
Head of the National Committee for the Administration of
Gaza.
- Finally on Sudan, where Egypt is one of the countries bearing
the brunt of the refugee crisis caused by the ongoing conflict,
the Foreign Secretary will discuss with Foreign Minister
Abdelatty the urgent need to secure an end to the violence, and
deliver humanitarian aid to the millions of Sudanese civilians
who have been displaced from their homes.
The Foreign Secretary will also see firsthand UK-supported work
being done in Egypt to help vulnerable people access support,
skills and opportunities, reducing the risks of exploitation by
criminal trafficking networks and the pressures that can lead to
dangerous onward journeys. She will also discuss with
Foreign Minister Abdelatty what more the UK and Egypt can do
together to tackle organised immigration crime and strengthen
support for those affected by regional displacement.
