Qatar, Egypt deepen ties as Sheikh Mohammed holds talks with El-Sisi, Madbouly and Abdelatty

CAIRO, Egypt: Qatar and Egypt have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and coordinating on Gaza and wider regional security issues as Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held talks with senior Egyptian officials in Alamein and Cairo on Thursday.

Sheikh Mohammed met Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the seventh session of the Qatar-Egypt Joint Higher Committee and also held talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. He was additionally received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Qatar-Egypt Leaders Discuss Bilateral Relations

During his meeting with President El-Sisi, Sheikh Mohammed conveyed the greetings of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with the Egyptian president reciprocating the greetings.

The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, alongside discussions on major regional developments.

Bilateral Trade Rises 80%

The growing economic relationship between Qatar and Egypt was a key focus of the discussions.

According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bilateral trade increased by 80% in 2025, while Qatari investments in Egypt have also continued to grow.

The two countries highlighted the launch of a sustainable jet-fuel manufacturing project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, backed by direct Qatari investment.

Cooperation Expands Across Key Sectors

Qatar and Egypt also discussed cooperation in several areas, including:

Health
Energy
Investment
Agriculture
Food security
Consular affairs
Labour
Both sides stressed the importance of turning the outcomes of the Joint Higher Committee meetings into practical initiatives that can further strengthen relations.

Qatar and Egypt Focus on Gaza

The situation in Gaza featured prominently in the talks, with Qatar and Egypt reiterating their commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

The two countries criticised Israel’s rejection of a roadmap aimed at completing U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza. They said the plan had been endorsed through UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and accepted by Palestinian factions.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Abdelatty in Alamein, Sheikh Mohammed said Palestinian acceptance of the plan had brought the process to a “pivotal stage.”

He added that responsibility now rested with Israel to engage positively with the process.

Qatar Calls for International Pressure

Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye had made intensive diplomatic efforts to achieve progress on the Gaza process.

He accused Israel of continuing violations instead of responding positively to recent developments and said Qatar was relying on international pressure, particularly from the United States, to encourage Israel to fulfil its commitments.

Qatar has also urged the United States and European countries to press Israel to honour its obligations related to Gaza.

Regional Security and Freedom of Navigation

The discussions also addressed broader regional security concerns.

Qatar and Egypt stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and highlighted the need to protect freedom of navigation through strategically important waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

Sheikh Mohammed also expressed hope that Iran would fulfil its responsibilities and respond to the concerns and demands of countries in the region.

Talks Cover Lebanon, Sudan and Horn of Africa

The two sides also discussed developments in Lebanon, Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Qatar and Egypt reaffirmed their support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Sudan’s unity and national institutions.

They also stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states in the Horn of Africa and pursuing diplomatic approaches to regional challenges.

Joint Higher Committee Strengthens Qatar-Egypt Ties

During Sheikh Mohammed’s meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the two sides reviewed cooperation in investment, the economy, diplomacy, agriculture, food security and health.

Both expressed their intention to capitalise on promising opportunities to further expand relations across a broad range of sectors.

Established under an agreement in 1990, the Qatar-Egypt Joint Higher Committee provides a framework for cooperation between Doha and Cairo in economic, trade, cultural, scientific and social fields. Its meetings are held alternately in Qatar and Egypt.