UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will hold talks during her visit to Egypt, which begins today, on the next steps to restore transit passage rights through the Strait of Hormuz and resume progress on the 20-point Gaza peace plan, the British Embassy in Cairo announced.
The embassy said in a statement on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that Cooper will also discuss with Egyptian officials a range of key priorities for UK-Egypt cooperation, including trade, national security, migration, clean energy and joint efforts to secure a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian assistance in Sudan.
According to the statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty will meet with Cooper tomorrow, and the two ministers will co-chair meetings of the UK-Egypt Partnership Council.
The meetings will review developments in bilateral relations and discuss shared opportunities and challenges in the areas of economic growth, migration and regional security.
The embassy noted that intensified cooperation between the two sides comes ahead of the launch of a formal strategic partnership later this year.
The two ministers will also discuss several regional issues on which both countries share a commitment to promoting stability and peace, including the Strait of Hormuz, following the announcement of a US-Iran agreement expected to be signed later this week. Cooper is continuing efforts to ensure the restoration of transit passage rights through the strait without unlawful fees or restrictions.
Regarding Gaza, the embassy said the talks will address Egypt’s role, particularly following its mediation of a ceasefire last October, as well as ongoing efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and implement transitional security and administrative arrangements under the peace plan.
The statement added that Cooper is scheduled to meet head of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza Ali Shaath.
On Sudan, the embassy said Cooper and Abdelatty will discuss ways to end the ongoing violence and deliver humanitarian assistance to millions of displaced Sudanese civilians, particularly in light of the pressures Egypt faces as a result of the refugee crisis.
The embassy also noted that Cooper will review UK-supported initiatives in Egypt aimed at helping vulnerable groups gain access to support services, skills training and employment opportunities, thereby reducing the risks of exploitation by human trafficking networks and easing pressures that contribute to irregular migration.
In this context, she will discuss with Egyptian officials ways to strengthen cooperation in combating organized migration-related crimes and improving support for those affected by regional displacement.
