Egypt Roundup: Bilateral relations, Asylum Law, lumber imports, D-8 summit
Egypt-Jordan relations
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah II convened in Cairo, focusing on critical regional challenges and the reinforcement of bilateral relations. Their discussions prominently featured the ongoing situation in the Palestinian territories, advocating for an immediate ceasefire alongside unrestricted humanitarian assistance. Dailynews reports that the leaders underscored their solidarity in pursuing a two-state solution that aligns with the boundaries set forth on June 4, 1967, as well as expressing a unified stance on maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and fostering an inclusive political resolution that represents all societal segments. Furthermore, they addressed Lebanon's security landscape, underscoring the necessity to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, thus reflecting a concerted commitment to fortify cooperation between Egypt and Jordan across a spectrum of sectors.
Lumber imports
In the realm of economic indicators, September 2024 witnessed a 3% decline in the average price of lumber imports into Egypt, juxtaposed with a notable 23% increase in the volume of these imports, Lesprom indicates. This presents a significant trend in the construction and building materials sector, warranting further examination of the implications for domestic markets and international supply chains.
D-8 summit
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is slated to represent Iran at the D-8 summit scheduled in Egypt. Jpost reports. This gathering comprises eight leading Muslim developing nations and serves as a platform to discuss collaborative approaches and shared interests amongst member states, reflecting the geopolitical dynamics at play within the region.
Asylum Law
Human Rights Watch has raised substantial concerns regarding Egypt's newly drafted asylum law, which reportedly threatens the rights of refugees and asylum seekers by potentially contravening international standards. According to Human Rights Watch, the legislation, which was passed by parliament on November 19, 2024, proceeded without sufficient engagement with the UN Refugee Agency or input from civil society, casting doubt on its compliance with international law. The law is critiqued for its ambiguous stipulations that may arbitrarily deny asylum and criminalise informal assistance, alongside transferring authority from the UNHCR to a nascent national body with overly broad exclusionary criteria. It does outline some rights for acknowledged refugees, yet it inadequately safeguards asylum seekers' rights, lacking essential procedural protections. Human Rights Watch has urged President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to reconsider the bill, advocating for revisions that align with established international norms.
Industrial and mining sectors
In further developments, Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly engaged in discussions with Saudi Minister Bandar Alkhorayef, centring on the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, particularly within the industrial and mining sectors. Prime Minister Madbouly articulated Egypt's commitment to assisting Saudi Arabia in preparation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, aiming to foster participation from Egyptian enterprises. Additionally, he emphasised the prospective increase in Saudi investments in Egypt through collaborative mechanisms facilitated by the Egyptian-Saudi Higher Coordination Council. The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for elevated cooperation in mineral exploration, as well as extending invitations to Saudi investors in the oil, gas, and petrochemical realms, underlining the government’s dedication to mitigating investor challenges. Minister Alkhorayef reciprocated the enthusiasm for collaboration, commending measures to address the concerns of Saudi investors, and thereby reinforcing the mutual interests in industrial integration across diverse sectors. According to the Dailynewsegypt, the meeting epitomised a pivotal step in fortifying strategic cooperation and expanding bilateral trade between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
