NATO's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, travelled to the Arab Republic of Egypt on 17 and 18 September 2024 for his first visit to the region in this new capacity. He met with high level officials, including from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to take stock of NATO-Egypt relations and exchange views on regional security issues.
Special Representative Colomina highlighted that "Egypt is a long-term partner of NATO and a key player in the region and beyond". During his meetings in Cairo, he explored ways to enhance the partnership, especially in areas of particular interest for Egypt.
The Special Representative also outlined his three priorities. "It is vital that we strengthen dialogue and engagement with our Southern neighbourhood partners and other potential interlocutors in the region, which is more important than ever in the current regional context," Colomina said. "We also want to ensure a coherent, effective and transparent approach to NATO's efforts in the Southern Neighbourhood, and will work to enhance mutual understanding."
During his visit, Special Representative Colomina also met with HE Mr. Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS) and US Special Envoy for Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland. Additionally, he had a meeting with representatives of the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding and delivered a keynote address at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies.
