Syrian Foreign Minister Makes First Visit to Egypt Since 2024

Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad al Shaibani held talks in Egypt with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty during a visit to the New Capital, marking the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister since the collapse of Bashar al Assad’s rule in December 2024.

The meeting comes amid a gradual resumption of contact between Cairo and Damascus, with officials and observers pointing to economic cooperation as a potential entry point for rebuilding relations.

The visit follows a series of recent engagements, including a phone call between the two ministers on December 31st, 2024, and a meeting between Abdel Fattah al Sisi and Ahmed al Sharaa in Cyprus during an Arab-European consultative summit.

Contacts have expanded in parallel with economic activity. An Egyptian trade delegation visited Damascus in early 2026 for the first time in 15 years, and the two sides later signed an agreement covering energy cooperation.

Syrian authorities also moved to establish a joint business council to support private sector engagement. During the talks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt said discussions covered bilateral relations and coordination on regional developments.

Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s support for Syria and referenced longstanding ties between the two countries, while restating Cairo’s position on the need to preserve Syria’s unity and stability.

The discussions also addressed broader regional issues, including tensions between the United States and Iran, developments in Lebanon, and concerns related to foreign fighters and extremist groups in Syria. Abdelatty also expressed Egypt’s rejection of violations of Syrian sovereignty.