Egypt Champions Dialogue to De-escalate Middle East Tensions

Egypt has called for enhanced efforts to contain conflicts and to prioritize dialogue and preventive diplomacy, particularly in West Asia and the Middle East. This statement was made by Deputy Foreign Minister Mohamed Abu Bakr on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during his address at the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Baku. Abu Bakr reiterated Egypt’s dedication to dialogue, state sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He emphasized that the Palestinian Cause remains a central focus of Egypt’s diplomatic initiatives, which include efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire, facilitate negotiations, and advance an agreed roadmap to end the conflict. Furthermore, he advocated for unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza and firmly rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians, underscoring the necessity of a two-state solution. Abu Bakr also noted that Egypt is actively engaging with regional and international partners to de-escalate tensions following the recent war involving Iran. He reaffirmed Cairo’s condemnation of attacks targeting Gulf states and encouraged the strengthening of economic and investment ties between Africa and Asia.