- First visit to Egypt underlines need for rapid, safe and
unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza with a clear call for
Israel to facilitate this.
- Visit reflects Egypt's central role in the humanitarian
response and regional diplomacy, including on Gaza, Sudan and
Iran.
- New migration partnership signed to strengthen UK-Egypt
cooperation, as part of the government's wider efforts to tackle
illegal migration.
On his first visit to the region, the new Middle East Minister
renewed UK calls for significantly more humanitarian aid to reach
Gaza.
Minister for the Middle East, MP, has concluded a two-day
visit to Egypt strengthening cooperation on regional security and
stability, visiting the humanitarian support facilities at Al
Arish and issuing a clear call for Israel to allow much more aid
to reach Gaza.
The visit underlined Egypt's vital role in the regional response
to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the UK's commitment to
working with partners to support aid delivery to Gazans, maintain
momentum behind the 20-point plan, and to do everything
possible to prevent a return to full-scale conflict.
At Al-Arish, near the Gaza border, the Minister saw the scale of
humanitarian logistics operations, including over £2m of
UK-funded support to the Egyptian Red Crescent's efforts to get
life-saving aid to those who need it.
Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said:
This UK Government has been at the forefront of humanitarian
aid to the people of Gaza and in diplomatic efforts to get more
aid in, but current aid flows are simply not enough. Our
government restarted support to UNWRA, and has been working with
key partners on the ground like the Red Crescent, but current aid
flows are simply too low, and blocks must be removed.
Egypt is a vital partner in the region and central to efforts
to get life-saving aid into Gaza and I want to thank them for
their partnership and support. But it is imperative that Israel
ensures rapid, safe and unimpeded aid access, if we are to avert
further suffering in Gaza.
I know how appalled people across Britain have been at the
death and suffering in Gaza. That is why I have made this my
first visit to the region, and is why I am calling again on
Israel to allow aid to reach those in need.
It is also why we are working so closely with Egypt on
practical steps to support the flow of aid, and why we are
supporting diplomatic efforts to end this conflict and bring
peace, stability and security to Gaza.
The visit underlines the focus the government is putting on the
unbearable situation in Gaza, where on average one child has died
in Gaza every day since the ceasefire. The UK is committed to
alleviating this suffering and has provided more than £127m in
support for Palestine this financial year.
Minister Doughty also met Foreign Minister Dr Badr
Abdelatty, Deputy Foreign Ministers Mohamed Abu Bakr and Nabil
Habashi, and the Arab League Secretary General Nabil Fahmy to
reiterate the UK's commitment to working with Egypt and other
regional partners to reduce instability overseas and protect UK
interests at home.
The Minister also met with Dr Ali Shaath, Chief Commissioner of
the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG),
emphasising the importance of the NCAG's interim role in
coordinating recovery efforts in Gaza.
The Minister also signed a new UK-Egypt partnership on migration.
The agreement the first between the two countries to focus on
migration cooperation will cut the time needed to return Egyptian
nationals with no right to be in the UK by up to 90%. This
follows the recent £9 million expansion of UK funding to help
countries across North Africa manage migration pressures caused
by regional conflict.
The visit shows how the UK-Egypt relationship delivers for the
British people across key priorities, from regional security and
migration to humanitarian support and economic resilience.
