Media statement by Caspar Veldkamp, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a bilateral visit with Badr Abdelatty, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Media statement by Caspar Veldkamp, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a bilateral visit with Badr Abdelatty, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Good morning.
Good to see you all here, in Cairo.
Mr Abdelatty, thank you for your warm welcome I received here.
I really appreciate this opportunity to meet in person again and talk in detail about the excellent ties between our countries, and the many fields in which we work together.
The energy transition and green hydrogen, for example.
For the Netherlands, Egypt is a key partner when it comes to achieving our common sustainability goals.
And there are more fields, where there are ample opportunities for closer cooperation.
We’re keen to cooperate with you in sectors such as water, food and energy.
The strategic and comprehensive partnership between Egypt and the EU has also provided fertile ground for further cooperation.
It covers enhanced political dialogue, discussions on stability in the region, hosting refugees, protecting human rights and socio-economic support.
Besides enjoying excellent economic ties, the Netherlands and Egypt also share a commitment to peace and security.
We’ve talked extensively about current developments in the region and the world, and our shared concerns about potential military escalations in the Middle East.
We must do everything in our power to promote de-escalation and avoid further escalation between Iran and Israel.
We must press for ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon.
It’s essential to break the cycle of violence that is causing the tragic loss of so many innocent lives.
The Netherlands calls on all parties to exercise restraint, implement an immediate ceasefire, and fully abide by international humanitarian law.
My friend,
I’d like to take this opportunity to commend Egypt on the crucial role it is playing in the region.
I cannot stress enough the value of all your hard work so far, for example mediating between Israel and Hamas.
Since October 7 last year, you have been at the forefront of efforts to negotiate a ceasefire deal, and to alleviate the desperate humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.
What’s more, you have also helped people with ties to the Netherlands to leave the Gaza Strip.
We are extremely grateful for your support in helping us get more than 90 people out so far.
And we appreciate your ongoing efforts in this regard.
The Netherlands is committed to helping those remaining people with ties to our country to leave Gaza.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The urgency of a Gaza ceasefire cannot be overstated. The fact that this has not been achieved yet, does not mean that we should not keep working on it.
A Gaza ceasefire will make it possible to secure the immediate release of the remaining hostages, and to enable a drastic increase of the amount of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, where people are in dire need of food, water, fuel and medical supplies.
The situation - I said it before - is catastrophic.
And eventually, a Gaza ceasefire can pave the way to lasting peace and security.
Because in the end, ultimately, we need to find a road towards a two-state solution - with a secure Israel existing alongside an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State.
We call on Israel to facilitate an immediate increase in the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, and to ensure that the distribution of aid can take place safely and unhindered, to make sure it reaches the people in need.
I repeated this in my contacts and conversation with the Israeli government.
I also voiced my concerns to them about the legislation adopted by the Knesset to ban UNRWA.
The loss of aid and services at this point will make the situation even worse, especially in Gaza.
We urge Israel to carefully consider its international obligations, and the impact of such a move on the ground, before it takes any further action.
We are also closely following the negotiations on a ceasefire deal in Lebanon.
Egypt has stepped up to help reach a diplomatic solution in line with UN Security Council resolution 1701, and we need to move ahead together.
We support your efforts also in this regard.
And we appreciate your swift and effective response to the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, in setting up an air bridge to provide much-needed aid.
We also discussed, among other matters, the situation in Sudan and the terrible war often underreported in world media, but a matter on the agenda of the UN Security Council this month and also of the EU’s meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers on the 18th of November.
My friend, ladies and gentlemen,
Before I conclude, I’d like to stress again how much the Netherlands values its bilateral relations with Egypt, from a political and an economic perspective.
My government looks forward to working with your government.
And I look forward to continue working with you.
Because the challenges we face can only be tackled by working together.
With valued partners. Partners like you. You are a true partner, and I appreciate the great hospitality that I felt also very warmly today and this morning again in Egypt.
Thank you very much.