CAIRO, Dec 21 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty underlined the importance of cooperation and integration over the Nile River to achieve mutual benefit and shared interests.
Abdelatty made the remarks during a meeting with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe on the sidelines of the Russian–African ministerial forum.
He underlined the need to uphold a spirit of consensus and fraternity among southern Nile Basin states to restore inclusivity within the Nile Basin Initiative, and to reject unilateral measures in the eastern Nile Basin.
Abdelatty welcomed steps taken under the consultative process endorsed by the Nile Basin Initiative’s ministerial council to restore inclusivity and consensus and to implement development projects that serve shared interests in line with international law, safeguarding the interests of all Nile Basin countries.
The top diplomat said Cairo is keen to build on the positive outcomes of Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s visit to Egypt, which reflected the depth of mutual respect between the two countries.
He said Egypt aims to expand cooperation in water resources management, agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and housing, while opening new avenues in communications and information technology, social development, parliamentary cooperation, livestock development and veterinary vaccines.
Abdelatty also stressed the importance of building on the outcomes of the first business forum and beginning preparations for reciprocal visits in priority sectors to boost trade and investment.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to host the third meeting of the permanent joint committee, noting interest in activating a logistics zone allocated in Rwanda to establish factories and warehouses for Egyptian products to market them in Rwanda and neighboring countries.
Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s commitment to completing the Egypt–Rwanda Heart Center (Professor Magdi Yacoub Centre), which he said would help position Rwanda as a medical hub in East and Central Africa.
He called for accelerating fundraising and mobilizing the necessary financing to allow the center to be inaugurated during a high-level visit next year, noting that the first batch of medical equipment required for its operation has already been procured.
The minister said Egypt is keen to respond to Rwanda’s needs in capacity-building and expertise-sharing through training programs offered by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development, particularly in defence and policing, agriculture and irrigation, cybersecurity and counterterrorism.
He noted that Egyptian experts in rice cultivation and irrigation have been dispatched at the request of Rwanda’s agriculture ministry.
Abdelatty stressed the importance of coordination and consultation on African issues, particularly institutional reform of the African Union, describing it as essential to enhancing the effectiveness of its bodies.
He said reform should be methodical, gradual and inclusive, with the participation of all member states.
The two ministers also exchanged views on ways to promote stability, peace and security across Africa. They also discussed the situation in the Great Lakes region and eastern Congo.
Abdelatty welcomed the signing of the Washington Agreement, stressing the need for its full implementation as a framework for confidence-building and de-escalation.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s support for peace efforts and reconciliation to enable comprehensive development in the region, reiterating Cairo’s readiness to work with regional and international partners to ensure the agreement’s implementation and sustainability.
He added that the Washington peace and prosperity agreements and the Doha framework peace agreement provide the most appropriate framework for achieving lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
Rwanda’s foreign minister praised relations with Egypt and the positive momentum they have gained, expressing his country’s desire to further strengthen cooperation.
He said Rwanda looks forward to a visit by Egypt’s president next year to inaugurate the Professor Magdi Yacoub Heart Center, underscoring the depth of the humanitarian and development partnership between the two countries. (MENA)
