The high-level meeting, he told Egyptian journalists in the Belgian capital, is expected to consolidate political and economic cooperation, unlock billions in European support, and affirm Egypt’s stabilizing role in the region.
Abu Zeid stated that the summit will help realign mutual priorities amid global instability and inject new momentum into Egypt-EU ties, a long-standing relationship rooted in the 2004 Association Agreement and significantly elevated in 2023 when Egypt became the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) country to sign a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the bloc.
€5 billion package tied to IMF-backed reforms
A cornerstone of the new partnership is a five billion euro EU financial package, pledged to support Egypt’s economy amid global shocks, including the war in Ukraine, disruptions to Red Sea shipping, and soaring food and energy prices.
The first billion euros were disbursed in 2024 as development and investment guarantees. The remaining four billion euros, approved by the European Parliament and Council in June, will be disbursed in phases starting later this year, conditional on the progress of economic reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Abu Zeid described the negotiations with EU institutions as “long and arduous,” given the differing political agendas within the Commission, Council, and Parliament. But he said the disbursements are now firmly linked to Egypt’s reform trajectory. “Everyone must be completely comfortable that the economic reform path is on track, and that there’s a comprehensive economic and financial reform programme in place,” he said.
Strategic, not conditional—Egypt’s messaging to Brussels
While reiterating Egypt’s openness to reform, Abu Zeid pushed back against suggestions of political conditionality. “There are no conditions, and we have not observed any attempts to impose conditions,” he said.
“These are measures undertaken by the state for the benefit of its people. The state knows its responsibility towards its citizens and its accountability before parliament.,” he added, underscoring that economic and political reform is a national process.
He noted that Egypt is fully aware that its partners are closely following this path, and therefore, “we are not hiding anything.”
Abu Zeid said Cairo is in near-daily contact with MEPs and parliamentary blocs to clarify Egypt’s regional role, particularly its involvement in efforts to mediate wars and conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and elsewhere.
Over the past nine months, Egypt has hosted several European delegations—including MEPs, rapporteurs, and major bloc representatives—who met with officials, civil society, and human rights institutions to deepen their understanding of Egypt’s political, economic, and social context and its challenges.
Europe’s interests in a stable southern Mediterranean
Abu Zeid said the EU’s strategic interest in Egypt is closely tied to migration management, energy cooperation, and regional security. The partnership is also framed within broader EU initiatives in the southern Mediterranean—such as the Union for the Mediterranean and the New Mediterranean Charter—focused on green transformation, labour mobility, youth, and infrastructure.
He emphasized that there is strong awareness in Brussels that the stability of the southern Mediterranean is tied to the Middle East, which has significant implications in areas such as irregular migration and security threats. Abu Zeid said the MENA region presents clear investment opportunities, including in education, manufacturing, and supply chains.
Egypt, he added, is viewed not only as a key regional strategic and security partner but also as a source of skilled labour, logistical advantage, and cultural capital.
Tensions over Gaza, Israel, and EU fragmentation
On the Israeli war on Gaza, Abu Zeid welcomed what he described as the EU’s “positive” emphasis on international and humanitarian law. However, he acknowledged internal divisions within the bloc that make it challenging to reach unified positions on Israel and the Palestinian issue.
“There is a review underway of EU-Israel relations under the Association Agreement, especially after some member states recognized that Israel is violating Article 2 on human rights,” he said. Egypt, he added, is pressing both bilaterally and through EU institutions for a firmer stance, including potential sanctions against Israeli extremists and settlers, in addition to a suspension of engagement.
“The daily human rights violations in Gaza must not be met with statements alone—they require concrete action,” he said, noting that 12 EU member states have already recognized Palestine, and others may follow.
Discussions are also ongoing about a Gaza reconstruction and early recovery conference, which Egypt sees as a potential entry point for a ceasefire and longer-term political resolution. Abu Zeid said the EU is “fully aware” that the two-state solution needs to move from rhetoric to policy, through an initiative led by the EU and its international partners.
Culture, education, and Europe’s shifting priorities
Abu Zeid also stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy, particularly in Egypt’s bilateral relations with Belgium, Luxembourg, and EU institutions. He cited significant efforts to spotlight Egypt’s heritage, such as through cultural troupes and exhibitions linked to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
“Five percent of our diplomatic goals are achieved automatically through cultural engagement,” he said. “It signals to the other party that this is a country with history, civilization, and standing.”
Education remains a priority area, with efforts to expand access to European programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and Talent Skills, while also improving recognition of Egyptian degrees in Europe. The Horizon Europe research agreement has been initialled, with a final signing expected by the end of the year.
Egypt is also pushing to open more branches of European universities and launch joint degree programs with EU partners. “Human capital is one of the six pillars of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU—and the key to long-term cooperation,” he said.
Defence spending, NATO dialogue, and geopolitical constraints
Abu Zeid warned, however, that rising global militarization is shifting European priorities. “We are seeing increasing defence and security budgets, which are coming at the expense of soft power—education, culture, and development,” he said.
Escalating geopolitical crises have driven the EU to adopt a new defence and security strategy and pushed NATO to raise its spending ceiling to five percent of national income, further shifting priorities across the continent.
The EU and NATO have both launched new regional frameworks—the Mediterranean Charter and NATO’s Southern Dialogue, respectively—designed to re-engage southern neighbours on issues ranging from terrorism and cross-border crime to maritime security and migration.
Egypt is a member of NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue Group and has opted for “balance” in its defence partnerships, avoiding entanglement in rival blocs.
Cairo also maintains advanced defence relations with European countries and engages in political dialogue at multiple levels. Abu Zeid noted that all topics are open for discussion, and that higher-level engagement—whether through the Participation Council or at the summit level—often creates space for new areas of cooperation.
Looking ahead: trade, investment, and the summit
As part of growing economic ties, Abu Zeid noted that Belgium’s foreign and trade minister visited Cairo in May and is expected to return early next year with a delegation of investors. He pointed to Egypt’s proximity to European markets, skilled labour force, and economic incentives as key advantages.
With Europe facing resource shortages and labour gaps due to diverted defence spending, “this presents an opportunity for Egypt,” he said.
The summit, scheduled before the end of the year, is expected to cap months of technical, political, and financial coordination—and, Abu Zeid hopes, usher in a new era of cooperation shaped by “shared responsibility and mutual benefit.”
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