Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed there is no military solution to the Middle East crisis during a bilateral meeting with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares in Madrid on Monday.

In a joint press conference following their political consultations, Abdelatty called for the swift resumption of direct negotiations between Iran and the U.S. while condemning recent attacks on Gulf states, Jordan, and Iraq.

The ministers emphasized the need to de-escalate regional tensions and prevent further instability.

According to a Monday statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tamim Khallaf, the discussions focused heavily on the Gaza Strip.

Abdelatty praised Spain’s continuous support for Palestinian rights, urging the immediate execution of the first phase of the U.S. ceasefire plan, the deployment of an international stability force, and the activation of the National Committee for Gaza Management inside the strip.

On bilateral relations, Abdelatty noted that his visit reflects the depth of Cairo-Madrid ties, which were elevated to a strategic partnership in February 2025.

This momentum was sustained by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s visit to Spain, the King of Spain’s visit to Egypt in September 2025 for a joint business forum, and the King’s attendance at the Grand Egyptian Museum opening on 1 November 2025.

The consultations also covered expanding economic cooperation in clean energy, information technology, and tourism.

Additionally, Abdelatty welcomed the renewal of a memorandum of understanding on migration management, alongside agreements spanning higher education, health, and cultural exchange.

Addressing African affairs, the foreign minister outlined Egypt’s efforts within the International Quartet to resolve the Sudanese crisis, calling for an immediate humanitarian truce to pave the way for a Sudanese-led political process.

Abdelatty also reiterated Cairo’s firm stance on preserving the security, unity, and territorial integrity of the Horn of Africa, describing the region as a direct extension of Egyptian national security.

Albares praised Egypt’s pivotal role in anchoring regional stability and managing crises, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to broadening the scope of the bilateral strategic partnership.