STORY: Egyptian, Djiboutian FMs discuss Red Sea security, Gaza ceasefire
SHOOTING DATE: Feb. 2, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 3, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:55
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Foreign Ministry headquarters and the press conference
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): BADR ABDELATTY, Egyptian Foreign Minister
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAHMOUD ALI YOUSSOUF, Djiboutian Foreign Minister
4. various of the meeting

STORYLINE:

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Djiboutian counterpart Mahmoud Ali Youssouf discussed in Cairo on Sunday the security in the Red Sea, stressing the need for joint efforts to safeguard Bab El-Mandeb Strait and ensure safe maritime navigation.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): BADR ABDELATTY, Egyptian Foreign Minister
"The issue of Red Sea security and freedom of navigation, as we have repeatedly stated, is a matter of agreement between us and our brothers in Djibouti. There must certainly be a commitment to and respect for all the rules of international law regarding freedom of navigation, and there is certainly no longer any justification for escalation in the Red Sea region after Egypt had succeeded, in cooperation with Qatar and the U.S., in reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip."

The two ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and the role of Egypt and Djibouti in strengthening security in international waterways. 

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAHMOUD ALI YOUSSOUF, Djiboutian Foreign Minister
"The Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden must be strengthened. This council is essential so that we do not allow any naval forces of other countries to interfere. Djibouti and Egypt are two main members of this council and we believe that it is time to activate it so that it can bear this responsibility, at least part of the responsibility of maintaining security and safety of navigation in the Red Sea. As for Gaza, Djibouti supports Egypt's position, and all talks about deporting Palestinians are rejected by Djibouti and I believe that Egypt has the same position."

The ministers also stressed the importance of achieving a settlement to the current armed conflict in Sudan while preserving its state institutions, unity and territorial integrity.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)