Over recent years, Egypt and the European Union have succeeded in building a balanced and effective model of international partnership based on a clear political and economic vision led by President El-Sisi.
This approach has enabled Cairo to establish an extensive network of partnerships with major European capitals, elevating ties from traditional cooperation to a comprehensive strategic partnership grounded in mutual interests and respect — strengthening Egypt’s standing as a pillar of stability in the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean region.
Diplomats told MENA on Wednesday that the first Egypt–EU Summit comes as a direct outcome of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in March 2024, reflecting the shared political will of Cairo and Brussels to advance political, economic, and security cooperation and take bilateral relations to a more influential and effective stage in addressing common challenges.
Ambassador Ahmed Ihab Gamaleldin, Egypt’s former permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva and former assistant foreign minister, emphasized the importance of the summit in Brussels, describing it as a practical step toward broadening the scope of Egypt–EU cooperation.
He said the summit provided an opportunity to enhance political dialogue and coordination on key issues, including regional security, irregular migration, counterterrorism, energy, economic development, and Mediterranean stability — in addition to boosting investment and development partnerships.
He noted that the Brussels Summit marks a pivotal turning point in Egypt–EU relations amid current regional and global challenges that require strengthened consultation and coordination.
Gamaleldin stressed that ties between Egypt and Europe have evolved into a strategic relationship built on mutual interests, political understanding, and respect for national sovereignty, recognizing each side’s growing importance amid shifting global dynamics.
He added that Europe fully recognizes Egypt’s role as an influential regional power contributing to security, stability, and development efforts across the Middle East, Africa, and the southern Mediterranean — with Egypt’s balanced foreign policy ensuring its voice is both heard and respected internationally.
Former assistant foreign minister for European affairs and ex-permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Amr Ramadan, echoed this assessment, describing Egypt–EU relations as deep-rooted and strategic, shaped by geography, history, and intertwined interests.
Ramadan noted that elevating ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024 reflected the maturity and qualitative progress of relations between both sides. He added that holding the first Egypt–EU Summit with President El-Sisi’s participation underscores the EU’s commitment to deepening engagement with Egypt, complementing existing frameworks such as the Association Council and regular dialogue mechanisms.
He pointed out that Egypt’s relations with Europe have reached an advanced stage of mutual understanding, citing his tenure overseeing European affairs at the Foreign Ministry between 2017 and 2019, during which he witnessed firsthand the strength and steady progress of bilateral ties.
Ramadan recalled that Egypt hosted the first Arab–EU Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in February 2019 under President El-Sisi’s chairmanship — a milestone in Arab–European dialogue.
He stressed that Egypt is Europe’s most significant and influential partner in the southern Mediterranean, serving as a major market for the EU, with a population equal to a quarter of the Arab world. Egypt’s stability, he said, remains crucial to regional security, particularly regarding migration, counterterrorism, and Mediterranean stability.
He added that Egypt serves as a gateway for European cooperation with the Middle East and Africa, as well as a key partner in regional development and trilateral cooperation projects with African states.
Ramadan emphasized that the EU is Egypt’s largest trading partner, possessing advanced capabilities in investment, technology, and scientific research, noting that broad cooperation programs already serve the mutual interests of both sides.
He concluded by stressing that Europe’s positions on many international issues are often closer to Egypt’s vision than to other global powers — highlighting the importance of strengthening political consultation and strategic coordination amid global transformation.
For his part, Ambassador Mohamed Higazy, Egypt’s former ambassador to Germany and former assistant foreign minister, said President El-Sisi’s visit to Brussels inaugurated a new stage of economic and investment cooperation with Europe based on mutual benefit.
Higazy explained that the Brussels Summit reflected both sides’ determination to deepen political, economic, and security collaboration, adding that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement encompasses six main pillars: political and diplomatic relations; macroeconomic stability; trade and investment; cooperation on energy, water, and climate change; security and counter–irregular migration; and human capital development through education and research.
He highlighted Europe’s strong interest in expanding its economic partnership with Egypt in fields such as clean energy, green hydrogen, food and water security, digital transformation, and industrial development.
Higazy said the agreements signed during the summit, along with President El-Sisi’s participation in the accompanying economic forum and invitation to European businesses to invest in Egypt, would provide investors with firsthand insights into the country’s economic reforms and development progress — opening major investment and technological opportunities that benefit both sides and extend to North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
He called on European governments to provide guarantees for their companies operating in Egypt, stressing that Cairo remains committed to facilitating and safeguarding their operations, viewing them as an integral part of a broader strategic investment partnership that serves regional stability and growth.
Higazy concluded that Europe views Egypt as a cornerstone of regional stability and a central partner in resolving crises — a role demonstrated by Cairo’s balanced diplomacy and successful mediation efforts, most recently during the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.
He affirmed that the Brussels Summit was not merely a high-level political meeting but rather the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership reflecting Europe’s confidence in Egypt’s leadership and development vision, paving the way for expanded cooperation in investment, energy, and regional security to support stability and prosperity across the Mediterranean, the Arab world, and Africa.
Short link: