Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, and Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, co-chaired the third session of the Egypt-Thailand Joint Ministerial Committee in Bangkok. This move reflects the growing momentum in bilateral relations and lays the foundation for a new phase of cooperation and partnership between the two nations. Taking place twenty years after the previous session—held in Cairo in 2006—this meeting translates the shared political will into action plans and agreements, opening broader prospects for trade, investment, and cooperation in the fields of development and culture.
Ambassador Nader Zaki, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Minister Abdelatty emphasized that Egyptian-Thai relations are rooted in a long-standing history of friendship and mutual trust, providing a solid basis for elevating them into a more integrated partnership that serves the interests of both peoples. The Minister also highlighted the notable participation of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari in the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, describing it as a testament to the deep cultural and human ties between the two countries.
Furthermore, the Foreign Minister welcomed the outcomes of the eighth round of political consultations, which were held in Cairo in June 2026. He emphasized the importance of regular high-level visits and strengthened political consultation, expressing an aspiration to hold the ninth round of consultations in Thailand, while also exploring the establishment of additional consultative mechanisms in areas of mutual interest.
On the economic front, Minister Abdelatty underscored the desire to achieve a qualitative shift in trade and investment relations by increasing the volume of trade, diversifying its structure, facilitating the access of Egyptian exports to the Thai market, and encouraging companies to explore joint investment opportunities. He highlighted Egypt’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and promising investment prospects—particularly within the Suez Canal Economic Zone—which offer Thai companies significant potential to expand their operations and gain access to African, Arab, and European markets. He further stressed the importance of revitalizing the Egyptian-Thai Business Council and fostering greater interaction between the two business communities, which would help forge concrete investment partnerships.
In the context of expanding South-South cooperation, the Foreign Minister commended his Thai counterpart’s initiative to relaunch the "Thailand-Africa Initiative," noting that it presents a valuable opportunity to build broader developmental and economic partnerships. He highlighted how Egyptian-Thai cooperation could serve as a cornerstone for enhancing Thailand’s engagement with the African continent—aligning with the priorities of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and supporting the shared interests of African nations and the Global South. The official spokesperson added that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and international developments. Minister Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s efforts to support security and stability in the Middle East, as well as initiatives aimed at facilitating the implementation of the comprehensive peace plan for Gaza—as proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. He emphasized the importance of fully meeting the requirements of the first phase, which includes ensuring the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and advancing early recovery efforts.
The discussion also addressed the escalating situation in the Middle East, energy security, and supply chains. Minister Abdelatty underscored the need to intensify efforts to achieve a truce, de-escalate regional tensions, contain conflicts, and prevent them from spreading—all in order to safeguard regional security and stability, while ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
Furthermore, the talks covered the issue of the Ethiopian dam and Egypt’s water security, as well as the situation in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Minister Abdelatty stressed that the Nile water issue is an existential matter for Egypt, expressing firm opposition to any unilateral actions in the Nile Basin region that run counter to the principles of international law. The committee’s proceedings culminated in the signing of three agreements and memoranda of understanding, designed to provide a new institutional impetus to bilateral cooperation. These included a joint action plan for the 2027–2029 period, a memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation, and a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency. Furthermore, an agreement was reached to conclude a mutual visa exemption arrangement for holders of diplomatic, official, service, and special passports.
