Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati confirmed on Thursday that his country will spare no effort to try to reach a deal to cease fire in Gaza, release hostages, and allow humanitarian aid to reach the Strip.

This came during Minister Abdel Aati's reception, on Thursday, of Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, where the meeting witnessed discussions on bilateral relations between Egypt and the European Union, in addition to the most prominent regional issues, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Tamim Khalaf.

The spokesman stated, in a press statement, that Minister Abdel-Ati praised the positive developments witnessed in relations with the European Union since the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership on March 17, 2024, according to the German News Agency.

He pointed out the priority of implementing the various axes of the strategic partnership, including the economic aspect, expressing his aspiration for the European Parliament to quickly approve the second tranche worth four billion euros of the financing package for Egypt.

The spokesman added that Minister Abdel Aati praised the existing cooperation between the two sides in the field of combating terrorism, including within the framework of Egypt's joint presidency with the European Union of the "Global Counterterrorism Forum."

The meeting also discussed regional developments in the Middle East, where Minister Abdel-Ati stressed the need to recognize the Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also pointed out the importance of pushing for a comprehensive political process in Syria that does not exclude any of the Syrian components. He also discussed the developments on the Lebanese scene, where he stressed the need to reach a Lebanese consensus to end the presidential vacancy crisis, and that this should be done with pure national ownership without foreign interference.

Minister Abdel-Ati was also keen to review Egypt's position in support of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan and Somalia, in addition to the determinants of Egypt's position on the issue of water security.