The Minister of Foreign Affairs confirms Egypt’s keenness to strengthen the frameworks of joint cooperation with the International Maritime Organization
Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, stressed the Egyptian side’s keenness to strengthen the frameworks of joint cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, given that shipping and maritime transport represent an advanced importance for Egypt, especially in light of the importance of The Suez Canal is one of the most prominent global waterways, as well as the coastline that Egypt has extending to the Red and Mediterranean Bahrain.
This came during the Foreign Minister’s reception today, Friday, of “Arsenio Dominguez.” Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization. During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the visit of the UN official to Egypt, which is his first visit since assuming his position, indicating Egypt’s great interest in the scope of the organization’s work, which includes topics related to shipping and maritime transport. In this context, Minister Abdel Ati reviewed the repercussions of the Houthi attacks on commercial ships passing through Bab al-Mandab and the southern Red Sea, and their negative impact on Egyptian interests, noting that these repercussions inflicted on the Egyptian economy severe losses in Suez Canal revenues estimated at about 6 billion dollars.
With regard to the path of cooperation between Egypt and the International Maritime Organization, the Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Egypt will continue to Playing a leading role within the organization based on its membership in its Executive Council and its keen interest in the field of maritime transport.
Minister Abdel-Ati also expressed Egypt’s aspiration To open the organization’s regional representative office for the Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa in the city of Alexandria in the coming months, indicating that Egypt’s hosting of this office would enhance cooperation between the organization and the countries of the region and push it to broader horizons.
