Answering a question about the possibility of future arrangements between Egypt and Djibouti to ensure maritime security in the Red Sea, Abdelatty said that the issue of Red Sea security and freedom of navigation is a matter of consensus between Egypt and Djibouti.

He affirmed the importance of adherence to the rules of international law regarding freedom of navigation, adding that there is no longer any justification for escalation in the Red Sea region, after Egypt - in cooperation with Qatar and the US - has succeeded in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

"We are against the "militarization" of the Red Sea, the escalation in the Red Sea, and any permanent military presence of any non-littoral state in the Red Sea," Abdelatty said, adding he discussed these issues Sunday with the Foreign Minister of Djibouti.

For his part, the Foreign Minister of Djibouti Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said that as regards the issue of Red Sea security and safety of navigation "We believe that the Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden must be strengthened, it is an essential council."

"Djibouti and Egypt are members of this council. It is time to activate this council to assume its responsibility for maintaining security and safety of navigation in the Red Sea." (MORE)
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