No Country Can Impose Its Will on the Region, Egypt's FM Stresses

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty asserted that recent regional events since October 7, 2023, demonstrate the futility of imposing hegemony or unilaterally altering the Middle East's map. He stressed that any future regional frameworks must stem from consensus among the region's nations, including influential powers. Abdelatty firmly stated that no single country, regardless of its might, can impose its will or dominance through coercion or military force.

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Regional developments since October 7, 2023, have proven that any attempts to impose hegemony or redraw the map of the Middle East unilaterally will not succeed.

Responding to questions about concepts like a "Greater Israel" or redrawing regional borders, Abdelatty reiterated that unilateral projects are destined to fail. He highlighted the collective will of the region's countries as the essential foundation for any future arrangements. The minister clarified that the "Regional Quartet," comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, should be understood as a "platform for consultation and coordination" among these four significant regional states, rather than a military or political alliance.

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Any future regional arrangements must be based on consensus among the countries of the region, which includes influential regional powers.

This platform aims to bolster cooperation and coordinate stances on critical regional matters, including the conflict involving the US and Israel, ongoing negotiations, and post-conflict scenarios. Abdelatty revealed that the quartet has convened four times and will continue its coordination mechanism. Egypt is also actively engaging with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to forge a unified Arab and regional vision for the future, leaving the door open for other regional parties to join under agreed parameters.

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No country, regardless of its strength, can impose its will or dominance on others through coercion or military force.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Abdelatty underscored that any arrangements concerning weapons control must occur within a Palestinian-Palestinian framework, explicitly excluding Israeli involvement in disarmament. He affirmed Egypt's commitment to safeguarding the Palestinian cause and preventing the expansion of the occupation. The minister cautioned that plans to displace Palestinians persist, potentially through making life in Gaza untenable, forcing residents to leave under the guise of "voluntary departure" amid deteriorating humanitarian, health, and environmental conditions.

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The 'Regional Quartet' – which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan – should be more accurately seen as a 'platform for consultation and coordination' among four influential regional states, and not a military or political alliance.