In times of turbulence, Egypt has proven itself as a stabilising force – a role that remains critical today.
This is how the European Union (EU) sees its partnership with Egypt: as a strategic relationship of joint interests and challenges, built on a foundation of common values. Together, the EU and Egypt work tirelessly on a wealth of areas: peace and security, counter-terrorism, regional prosperity, migration, rule of law, climate change and renewable energy, digital transformation, industrial development, water and food security, health and social protection, and much more. Our relationship has grown over decades into one of the most comprehensive frameworks of cooperation the EU has in the Mediterranean and beyond.
The modern foundation of EU-Egypt relations was set with our Association Agreement signed in 2001 and entering into force in 2004. This agreement opened new chapters in political dialogue, trade, and cooperation. Since then, the EU has become Egypt’s largest trading partner, accounting for around 25% of Egypt’s total trade. In 2023, the EU ranked as Egypt’s largest source of foreign direct investment, with an estimated stock of around €35 billion. In 2024, total trade in goods between Egypt and the EU exceeded €32.5 billion. To put it in perspective, the EU imports from Egypt three times more goods than the US, China, Russia, Brazil and India combined. These figures underline the depth of our economic and commercial ties – yet our partnership is about much more than numbers.
The EU and Egypt have stood shoulder to shoulder in facing global and regional crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU provided €89 million in budget support to the Egyptian Ministry of Health to enhance preparedness and response to the virus. Additionally, access to finance, a cornerstone of our response in Egypt, was enhanced through the mobilisation of €1.65 billion between April 2020 and March 2021 to support Small and Medium sized Enterprises to cope with the pandemic restrictions. In the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which heavily disrupted global food supplies, the EU provided financial assistance to support Egypt to secure wheat imports and protect households in need. Egypt’s diplomatic engagement – from its crucial mediation role in Gaza, to its work on reinstating stability in Libya and Sudan – demonstrates why the EU sees Egypt as indispensable for regional peace and security.
Our cooperation has definitely deepened in strategic areas. Egypt hosted COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, where the EU and Egypt jointly advanced the global climate agenda, including on renewable energy and adaptation. Building on this, the EU is supporting Egypt’s Green Hydrogen strategy with hundreds of millions of euros in investments, positioning the country as a regional hub for renewable energy and future energy exports. Through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, we invest, together with our 27 Member States and with the European Investment Bank in energy, digitalisation, transport connectivity, health systems, water management, and sustainable agriculture, creating opportunities for businesses and jobs.
Our partnership is not only political and economic – it is about people. Every year, hundreds of Egyptian students, researchers and academics take part in Erasmus+ scholarships and exchanges in Europe. Under Horizon Europe, Egyptian innovators work alongside their European peers on science and technology solutions. Cultural cooperation – from film festivals and museum collaborations to joint artistic initiatives – continues to grow, enriching our societies.
Throughout our shared history, Egypt has been a respected voice for multilateralism. As a founding member of the United Nations, and a leading country in the African Union and host of the Arab League, Egypt has worked consistently to uphold a rules-based international order. The EU deeply values this partnership at the multilateral level, especially at a time when global governance is under strain.
As we look ahead, the EU is committed to continue working with Egypt on its Vision 2030 reform agenda and beyond – to unleash sustainable economic growth, provide equal opportunities and develop the full potential of all citizens at large. Demonstrating our commitment, the EU is providing tangible support to Egypt's reforms with a 7.4 billion financial support package, the second largest EU package for a bilateral partner in the world, after Ukraine. For European companies, Egypt’s reforms create opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth. For Egyptians, EU support represents a long-term commitment to more jobs, improved basic services, a stronger economy, and high quality standards.
All this shows how far the EU-Egypt relationship has come: from trade and cooperation agreements, it has grown into a strategic and comprehensive partnership that touches every aspect of political, economic, and social life. What unites us is not only shared interests, but also the conviction that cooperation and dialogue bring stability, prosperity, and opportunity. We are together intensely preparing for an upcoming EU-Egypt Leaders Summit, to mark an important milestone in advancing the partnership between Egypt and the European Union, offering a unique opportunity to translate shared priorities into concrete action for the benefit of all.
Together, the EU and Egypt are building a future of stability, prosperity, and hope – not only for our partners, but also for our entire shared neighbourhood. It is in the friendships, exchanges, and shared aspirations of Europeans and Egyptians that the true strength of our relationship lies.
*The writer is EU Ambassador to Egypt
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