UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has concluded her inaugural visit to Egypt, where she committed more than £20.7 million in new funding to support humanitarian efforts and bolster economic resilience in the region. The two-day visit on 17-18 June saw Ms Cooper engage with key Egyptian officials, including Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and Dr Ali Shaath, Chief Commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), as the UK and Egypt move towards establishing a formal Strategic Partnership later this year.
During her visit, the Foreign Secretary co-chaired the third meeting of the bilateral Association Council with Foreign Minister Abdelatty. Discussions focused on deepening cooperation across areas such as economic growth, migration, and regional security. The ministers also addressed critical regional stability issues, including the situations in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, Gaza, Sudan, and Lebanon, seeking to align their respective efforts for lasting peace.
A significant portion of the announced funding is directed towards humanitarian aid, with £3 million allocated to the Egyptian Red Crescent. This support aims to enhance the organisation's capacity to deliver aid to Gaza, providing crucial logistics support through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) Middle East appeal. The Foreign Secretary underscored the UK's belief in a Palestinian-led future for Gaza and welcomed the NCAG's role in its recovery and reconstruction, advocating for Palestinian policing as a step towards implementing the 20-point Peace Plan and ensuring rapid shelter provisions for displaced individuals.
Economically, the UK is partnering with the World Bank to provide £8.7 million in technical assistance for Egypt's ambitious economic reform agenda. This programme is designed to offer advice and analysis to the Egyptian Government, aiming to foster inclusive private sector-led growth, simplify business investment and trade, and ultimately strengthen Egypt's economic resilience in the face of regional conflicts. Additionally, Ms Cooper announced £9 million in UK funding to assist North African nations, including Egypt, in managing the significant migration challenges stemming from ongoing regional instability.
British Ambassador to Egypt Mark Bryson-Richardson highlighted the visit as a clear demonstration of the UK's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and collaborating closely with Egypt amidst current regional uncertainties. The anticipated Strategic Partnership is expected to elevate the relationship, with both countries working together to promote stability, support prosperity, and build foundations for enduring peace across the wider region.