The Spanish ambassador to Egypt has announced an upcoming official visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain to Egypt in the coming months, a move expected to further strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.
The ambassador emphasized Spain’s longstanding friendship with Egypt, calling it a trusted partner. “Spain has always felt close to your beautiful country. Our strong connections have been forged over centuries, and we will never abandon our affection for the Arab and Islamic world,” he stated. He highlighted the shared historical and cultural heritage between the two nations, particularly the legacy of Al-Andalus and the influence of Islamic civilizations in Spain.
Discussing regional cooperation, the ambassador underscored the Mediterranean’s role in fostering a common geostrategic space. He pointed to the Union for the Mediterranean as a key initiative in enhancing cooperative relations, aiming to boost stability and prosperity in the region.
Spain also continues to advocate for stronger ties between the European Union and Egypt. The ambassador referenced last year’s strategic partnership agreement, which is steadily unfolding its potential. He also noted the recent visit of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell to Cairo, where discussions were held with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and the Arab-Islamic ministerial contact group. Their recent summit in Cairo achieved significant diplomatic progress.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the ambassador reaffirmed Spain’s support for Egypt’s reconstruction efforts and mediation role. He expressed concern over the deteriorating situation following the collapse of the ceasefire, emphasizing, “Military activities have worsened the already devastating casualty figures in Gaza.” He called for an immediate ceasefire to enable hostage releases and humanitarian aid delivery.
The ambassador also urged compliance with international humanitarian law and stressed the necessity of linking Gaza-related efforts with a political solution based on the two-state framework, which he described as the only viable path to lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
Despite regional challenges, the ambassador highlighted the positive trajectory of Spain-Egypt relations. He recalled Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s visit to Spain in February, as well as multiple visits by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to Egypt. These high-level exchanges resulted in numerous agreements across economic sectors, including trade, transportation, infrastructure, tourism, and migration.
He further noted that Egypt is now a major recipient of Spanish development aid and commercial financing, with over €70m in assistance since 2015, supporting more than 50 ongoing projects. Cooperation also extends to education, tourism, and cultural heritage, bolstered by the Instituto Cervantes and its collaboration with Egyptian institutions.
In conclusion, the ambassador described this period as one of the most productive in the history of Spain-Egypt relations, emphasizing the solid foundation of trade, investment, and diplomatic collaboration that continues to flourish.
