Schinas made the remarks in Brussels on Monday during a meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, according to a statement by the foreign ministry.

Schinas further expressed the European Commission’s eagerness to finalize all necessary measures to launch this partnership, recognizing its significant impact on Egypt-EU bilateral relations.

Shoukry welcomed the EU’s position, emphasizing that both sides recognize the importance of their relations in promoting development, security, and stability in the region amidst shared regional and global challenges.

The EU has built strategic partnerships with several regional and international organizations as well as numerous countries, including China, the US, and Canada. A comprehensive strategic partnership paves the way for the expansion of cooperation in various areas of economic and non-economic areas.

Collaboration on irregular migration
 

Discussions emphasized enhancing cooperation between the two sides to curb irregular migration.

Shoukry highlighted Egypt’s efforts to halt the flow of irregular migration boats to Europe since September 2016. 

He also pointed to Egypt’s hosting of over nine million refugees and migrants, and its ongoing efforts to integrate them. He underscored the country’s commitment to providing services to these individuals despite the economic challenges resulting from consecutive global and regional crises.

Shoukry emphasized the importance of linking Egypt-EU cooperation to combat irregular migration with development to address the root cause of the issue, calling for the speedy finalization of such projects.

He expressed Egypt’s anticipation of the EU’s assistance in enhancing the country’s efforts to curb irregular migration through its borders.

Shoukry underlined the need to launch technical and vocational training and education programs to prepare Egyptian workers for the European labour market and provide them with regulated job opportunities. This approach would contribute to reducing irregular migration to EU countries, he added.

Schinas affirmed the EU’s eagerness to provide further aid to Egypt, recognizing the country’s commitment to addressing irregular migration. He highlighted that Egypt is a trusted partner in the migration field.

Backing Egypt amid challenges
 

Schinas also emphasized the EU’s unwavering appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in enhancing security and stability in the region, especially amid ongoing regional developments.

During his Brussels visit, Shoukry also met with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. Shoukry underlined the importance of the parliament’s role in providing support to Egypt in addressing the economic challenges resulting from global and regional crises.

Metsola emphasized the need to leverage Egypt-EU relations to benefit both sides and confront their shared economic and security challenges.

Implementing Gaza ceasefire
 

Regarding the Gaza war, Shoukry highlighted the crucial role that the European Parliament, as the voice and conscience of European citizens, can play in urging a ceasefire in Gaza and addressing the unprecedented suffering endured by the Palestinian people. 

He emphasized that people in Gaza have been subjected to siege, starvation, and targeting for more than 100 days.

Additionally, Shoukry held a meeting with Charles Michel, president of the European Council, where they discussed Egypt's diligent efforts in resolving the crisis and ensuring sustainable access to humanitarian aid.

He noted that Israel has obstructed the delivery of such aid, exacerbating the catastrophic situation in the strip, where a majority of the population has been displaced.

Shoukry also warned against the danger of the possible expansion of the conflict, the effects of which would be unpredictable. He added that such effects have already manifested in the tensions observed in the Red Sea area and their impact on international navigation.

The foreign minister stressed the necessity of finding a political path to resolve the Palestinian cause based on the two-state solution, as the only way to achieve security and stability in the region.

10th EU-Egypt Association Council meeting
 

Shoukry is currently in Brussels to co-chair the 10th meeting of the EU-Egypt Association Council with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission. The meeting is scheduled to take place today.

This meeting commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Association Agreement coming into effect in 2004, which created a free-trade area between the EU and Egypt by eliminating tariffs on industrial products and facilitating trade in agricultural products.

During the Association Council, both parties will discuss their cooperation within the framework of the Egypt-EU partnership priorities for 2021-2027, which were agreed upon at the EU-Egypt Association Council in June 2022, the EU says.

The Association Council will primarily focus on collaboration to enhance stability in both Egypt and the EU. This includes addressing human rights, security, counter-terrorism, and migration, as well as economic and social issues such as investments, environment, and energy.

Additionally, the Association Council will address foreign policy matters, including various regional crises.

The EU and Egypt will also explore ongoing initiatives to “unleash the full potential of EU-Egypt relations.” This involves supporting Egypt's socio-economic development and mitigating the impact of current regional crises, with a focus on achieving shared stability and security, the EU added.

On the sidelines of the meeting, both sides are expected to sign a Framework Agreement on Egypt’s participation in EU programmes.

Deepening consultations with NATO
 

Shoukry also held a meeting with Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), where they discussed ways to deepen mutual consultation mechanisms.

They also discussed ongoing efforts to launch the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP), which regulates relations between the two sides.

The programme would pave the way for enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly capacity building, knowledge transfer, counterterrorism, counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED), and collaboration in mine clearance, Shoukry and Stoltenberg noted.

Stoltenberg emphasized his appreciation for the existing partnership between Egypt and NATO, as well as Egypt's pivotal role in the region and its contribution to enhancing security and stability.