Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels to sign new Egypt-EU cooperation deals worth €4 billion, boosting trade, migration control, and regional stability. Image: The Australian.
(The Post News)– Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi met the highest European Union officials in Brussels on Wednesday for the first EU–Egypt summit, a turning point in Cairo’s ties with the 27-member bloc.
The meeting was focused on trade, migration, energy, and regional security, as the EU allocated €4 billion ($4.66 billion) in new financial investments. This is included in the €7.4 billion strategic partnership announced in March 2024 to boost Egypt’s economy and further regional cooperation in the Mediterranean.
Europe Seeks Stability Through Deeper Ties
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen embraced Egypt’s stabilizing factor in the Middle East and North Africa, stating closer cooperation is of mutual necessity. “Alongside each other, we know that we can count on Egypt’s active support,” said von der Leyen. “This is a time of pivotal significance for the Mediterranean. Europe and Egypt have a common interest in shaping that future together.”
The summit produced three new agreements: macro-financial assistance to Egypt’s struggling economy, political and economic reform support, and Egypt’s participation in the Horizon Europe research program, the EU’s flagship innovation budget.
Egypt was highlighted by President el-Sissi as “a gateway for European investment,” with potential in green hydrogen, pharma, and vaccine production. Migration management is always top of the agenda. El-Sissi informed EU leaders that Egypt has suspended irregular migration since 2016.
No ships have left Egypt’s shores to head towards Europe since 2016,” he stated. “We now host more than 9.5 million foreigners who have fled crises in their home countries.”
Irregular migration to the EU decreased by 21% in the first eight months of 2025, as per Frontex, a trend that has been said to be due to increased cooperation with Egypt and Tunisia. EU Council President António Costa expressed gratitude to Egypt for its “crucial contribution to regional stability” and for its help paving the way in Gaza, where a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian access are what the EU desires.
The Brussels meeting followed high-level talks in Sharm el-Sheikh on Donald Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza, which foresees reconstruction and a lasting truce. The EU and Egypt also issued a joint statement calling for “safe and unimpeded humanitarian access” to Gaza and in favor of a two-state solution.
Von der Leyen was assured that Egypt will co-chair the Palestine Donor Group, an EU program to facilitate coordination of funds for post-conflict reconstruction.
Critics Slam EU Over Human Rights Trade-Off
Human rights NGOs denounced the EU’s reception of Egypt’s president. Human Rights Watch accused Brussels of “bankrolling authoritarianism” to curb migration. Amnesty International urged EU leaders to demand reforms to bring arbitrary detention and harassment of critics to an end.
“The EU rewards authoritarian stability at the cost of Egyptians,” said Human Rights Watch’s Claudio Francavilla. “There are no definite human rights standards in this deal.”
Commentators analyze that the summit reveals a shift in EU foreign policy. “The EU laid out the red carpet for Sissi,” declared German Marshall Fund’s Kristina Kausch. “Human rights no longer come first; stability does.”
The deal arrives at a time Egypt faces high inflation, currency depreciation, and declining Suez Canal revenues after Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea shook trade.
The EU investments are designed to help Cairo recover, diversify the economy, and deepen energy cooperation and management of migration. El-Sissi will also host King Philippe of Belgium on his European tour as a representation of Egypt’s growing diplomatic activity on the continent.
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