President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi arrives in the Belgian capital, Brussels, to attend the Egypt-EU Summit. Photo: Egyptian Presidency
The historic summit, the first ever between Egypt and the European Union (EU), marks the culmination of the Egypt-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, the presidency said in a statement.
During the visit, President El-Sisi will hold meetings with King Philippe of Belgium, several European leaders, and senior EU officials.
The visit aims to strengthen Egypt’s political cooperation and coordination with the EU and deepen ties with Belgium on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
El-Sisi’s visit will also have a strong economic focus, highlighted by a major investment forum held on the sidelines of the summit. The forum will showcase investment opportunities in Egypt and feature broad participation from leading European companies and business groups.
Talks are also expected to address Egypt’s approach to combating irregular migration.
The European Council said the meeting will bring together El-Sisi, Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and other EU leaders.
The summit is planned to convene biennially to expand political and economic ties and reinforce shared stability and prosperity.
Discussions will also cover a range of global issues, including the Israeli war on Gaza, the conflict in Ukraine, trade, migration, and multilateral security challenges.
Egypt-EU partnership
Egypt and the EU signed a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership in Cairo in March 2024, focusing on six main pillars: political relations, economic stability, trade and investment, migration and mobility, security, and human capital.
The agreement is supported by a 7.4 billion euro financial package for 2024–2027 aimed at supporting Egypt’s economic recovery and development.
Egypt’s ambassador to Brussels, Ahmed Abu Zeid, said the summit is expected to “enhance political and economic cooperation, unlock billions in European support, and reaffirm Egypt’s stabilising role in the region.”
According to Abu Zeid, the Egypt-EU summit is expected to enhance political and economic cooperation, unlock billions in European support, and reaffirm Egypt’s stabilizing role in the region.
The landmark event is also expected to help realign mutual priorities amid global instability, inject new momentum into Egypt-EU relations, strengthen technical coordination, and open a new phase of cooperation based on shared responsibility and mutual benefit.
On Friday, EU Council President Costa described the gathering as an excellent opportunity to further deepen Egypt–EU partnership, cooperate in addressing common challenges, and unleash the full potential of our relationship.
“Our longstanding ties are rooted in shared history, geography, and culture, as well as the strong bonds between our peoples,” Costa said, commending Cairo’s stabilizing role in the Middle East and its mediation efforts in Gaza.
According to the European Council, the EU remained Egypt’s largest trading partner in 2024, accounting for 22 percent of Egypt’s total trade, with bilateral trade volume reaching 32.5 billion euros.
Short link: