Sheikh Mohammed’s visit came a week after a previous trip to Egypt, where he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss ongoing mediation efforts in the Gaza Strip.
Qatar and Egypt are discussing the activation of a $7.5bn (around QAR 27.4bn) investment package in Cairo during the two countries’ sixth Joint Higher Committee meeting on Thursday, held in the New El-Alamein City.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, travelled to Egypt to represent the Gulf state during the meeting. Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly welcomed the Qatari official upon his arrival.
The meeting came four months after a high-profile visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Doha in April, where Qatar announced the investment package.
“During the meeting, discussions were held on initiating the implementation of this investment package in the near future,” the Egyptian Cabinet said in a statement.
A press conference also took place between Sheikh Mohammed and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, during which the latter said “specific projects will be announced in coming weeks”.
In a post on X, Sheikh Mohammed said discussions focused on the enhancement of bilateral ties between Doha and Cairo.
“We discussed enhancing bilateral relations and expanding areas of cooperation. All thanks to the sisterly Egypt for the generosity of hospitality and the warm reception,” the Qatari official said.
Qatar and Egypt’s relations witnessed growth in recent years, especially since the resumption of ties in 2021 following the 2017 diplomatic crisis.
At the time, Egypt joined Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates in imposing an air, land and sea blockade on Qatar while severing ties with the country. Relations thawed in 2021 with the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration.
By 2024, the bilateral trade volume between both countries reached $221.2m (around QAR 809m).
Gaza mediation ongoing
Sheikh Mohammed’s visit came a week after a previous trip to Egypt, where he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Discussions at the time focused on ongoing mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip while placing great emphasis on ensuring the entry of aid into the territory.
Sheikh Mohammed, in his latest remarks to the press in Egypt, called out Israel’s insistence on continuing the genocide in the Gaza Strip.
“Unfortunately, efforts to stop the war in the Gaza Strip have been met with further disregard,” he said.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed at least 62,966 people, mainly women and children, in the Gaza Strip, with thousands still trapped under the rubble.
Qatar and Egypt, alongside the United States, have been mediating between Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire. The efforts resulted in a ceasefire deal in January, which Israel broke on March 18.
Israel has caused a famine in the Gaza Strip by blocking the entry of aid, resulting in the deaths of at least 317 people, including 121 children.
“The international community must bear its responsibility and stop the siege and famine on Gaza,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
