Egypt, UK set to launch strategic partnership during Starmer’s 2025 visit to Cairo

CAIRO – 23 July 2025: The UK has announced its commitment to elevate bilateral relations with Egypt to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's scheduled visit to Cairo this autumn.

In a statement on Tuesday, the UK government described this commitment as “a significant milestone,” allowing both the Egyptian and British governments to strengthen their collaboration in key priority areas.

The strategic partnership will focus on trade and investment, irregular immigration, regional security, and efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

During the visit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Starmer are set to co-chair an Investment Conference, bringing together business leaders from both countries, according to the statement.

“The UK Government looks forward to building the Strategic Partnership with Egypt to enhance the prosperity and security of our citizens,” the statement read.

Egypt and the UK maintain strong bilateral relations across various fields, including trade, investment, climate change, global security, tourism along with coordination on critical regional issues.

According to British government statistics, total trade between Egypt and the UK reached £4.8 billion (approximately LE 318.8 billion) in 2024, marking a 5.6 percent increase from the previous year.

Egypt is also vital to the UK due to its significant efforts to combat irregular immigration to Europe and its crucial role in ensuring stability in the Middle East.

Since taking office in July 2024, Starmer has prioritized coordination with President Sisi on key issues across the Middle East, including the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as the prolonged Israeli war in Gaza.

In a phone call with Sisi last month, Starmer said he looks forward to Sisi's acceptance of the invitation extended from the King of the United Kingdom to visit London.