Gaza war, strategic partnership: What is on Macron’s agenda during Egypt visit

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

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Sun, 06 Apr 2025 - 11:06 GMT

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 - 11:06 GMT

CAIRO – 6 April 2025: French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin a multi-day visit to Egypt on Sunday. His agenda includes a message for regional peace from Arish city, as well as the launch of a strategic partnership with Egypt.

Macron stated that his visit to Egypt this week will include a trilateral summit with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan, addressing the urgent situation in Gaza.

Arish Visit

On Tuesday, he plans to travel to Arish city in North Sinai, 50 km from Gaza, to highlight concerns over the ongoing war.

According to AFP, he will meet with humanitarian and security workers to emphasize his "constant mobilization in favor of a ceasefire," as stated by his office.

His visit to Arish, a transit point for Gaza-bound aid, comes a month after Israel’s decision to suspend assistance to the war-battered enclave after the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired on 1 March.

Two weeks later, Israel shattered a ceasefire that persisted for two months in Gaza and brought home 38 captives, 30 of them alive.

Israel resumed Gaza war on 18 March, killing more than 1,300 people, including many women and children, raising the death toll among Palestinians since the war began in October 2023 to over 50,600.

During his visit, Macron will stress the urgency of securing a new ceasefire to prevent further "humanitarian catastrophe" for the people of Gaza.

He will call for an end to Israeli strikes and the release of Israeli captives still held in Gaza.

A draft accord regarding the treatment of Palestinian wounded patients brought out of Gaza is expected to be signed during the visit, according to AFP.

Regional Cooperation

Macron's three-day visit to Egypt marks his fourth visit to the country as president, underscoring special relationship between the two nations and coinciding with a crucial time for the region.

Elysee Palace spokeswoman stated that discussions will cover regional crises, including Syria, Libya, Sudan, and Palestine, with France hoping to achieve a breakthrough in the Middle East conflict.

According to the Élysée, the talks will also cover the Iranian nuclear file amid US military threats for Tehran.

Macron will present France's efforts within the trilateral European group, which also comprises Germany and the UK, to seek a political solution with Iran concerning its nuclear program.

Strategic Partnership

The visit also aims to strengthen relations between Paris and Cairo, evidenced by the potential signing of an enhanced strategic partnership agreement, according to the Elysee Palace.

Both sides will seize the opportunity to boost economic cooperation, with a joint business forum led by Macron and Sisi addressing issues related to health, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and transportation.

Cultural Cooperation

The visit will also include cooperation in cultural, educational, and research fields, with several agreements to be signed, including those related to teaching the French language.

Cairo will host a special visit for the French president to the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) ahead of its opening on July 3.

Moreover, Paris will reaffirm its support for Egypt’s candidate for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) director-general post Khaled El-Enany, the former minister of tourism and antiquities.

Macron will be accompanied by the ministers of foreign affairs, armed forces, economy, health, and higher education.

Cairo University has decided to postpone classes and mid-term exams on Monday to host the Egyptian-French universities forum with Macron in attendance.

Various officials from French universities will accompany Macron to explore opportunities and sign agreements for collaboration between Egyptian and French educational institutions.

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