CAIRO, Feb 10 (MENA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty called for the swift recovery, rubble removal, and reconstruction in Gaza, emphasizing the Palestinians' right to remain on their land.

During a meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Abdelatty expressed his aspiration to work closely with the new US administration to strengthen the two countries' strategic partnership, which has lasted over four decades, as well as to achieve regional security, stability, and just and comprehensive peace.

The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tamim Khalaf stated that the meeting discussed bilateral relations, ways to enhance the strategic partnership, and support cooperation in various fields to achieve common interests.

The meetings also tackled the significance of sustaining regular rounds of US-Egypt Strategic Dialogue at the level of foreign ministers, he said.

He added that talks also addressed the latest regional developments, including the situations in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Libya, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue, and Egypt's water security.

Talks also focused on improving bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as ongoing arrangements to hold "Egypt's Economic Future Forum" in Cairo in collaboration with the US Chamber of Commerce, with the goal of achieving a paradigm shift in trade exchange and increasing US investments in Egypt.

The Egyptian FM also emphasized Egypt's clear stance regarding the importance of negotiating a legal and binding agreement to operate the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam without infringing on the downstream nations' rights and in the best interests of all parties, he asserted.

Abdelatty also underscored the importance of reaching a final settlement for the Palestinian cause that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution. (MENA)

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