Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has urged Somalia to step up efforts to secure the release of eight Egyptian sailors being held aboard a vessel off the Somali coast.
Mr Abdelatty raised the issue during talks with his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, in Cairo on Monday, as diplomatic efforts continue to resolve the months-long crisis.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 166th session of the Arab League Council at ministerial level.
The eight Egyptian sailors are being held aboard the MT Eureka, after the vessel was hijacked earlier this year and taken towards Somali territorial waters.
Egypt has been conducting diplomatic contacts with Somali and Yemeni authorities, as well as the vessel’s owner, in an effort to secure the sailors’ release.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said last week that it was maintaining intensive contacts with the relevant authorities in Somalia and Yemen to ensure the sailors’ swift release and safety.
It also said efforts were under way to ensure the men had adequate living conditions while they remained in captivity and until they could return home.
Egypt reaffirms support for Somalia
During Monday’s talks, Mr Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also stressed the importance of preserving Somalia’s national institutions and rejected unilateral measures that could threaten the country’s territorial unity or sovereignty.
Mr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its state institutions and their capabilities.
The Egyptian minister also highlighted the need to work with international partners to secure sustainable funding for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in which Egypt is participating.
The two ministers also discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and Somalia, including cooperation in economic, development and investment fields.
The sailors’ continued detention comes as Egypt maintains diplomatic engagement with the authorities involved, seeking their safe return home.
