ET report: EU and Egypt elevate ties to strategic partnership

CAIRO - 21 October 2025: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi heads on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to the capital of Belgium, Brussels, leading the delegation of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the first EU-Egypt summit on October 22nd.

Egypt and the EU relationship took a big step forward in March 2024, with signing of a strategic and comprehensive partnership agreement. The agreement provided endorsement of Egypt’s significance within the region. 

Nineteen months after the launch of the Partnership, both sides aim to convert partnership into tangible outcomes: boosting trade, investing in green transformation, securing the Mediterranean region, and addressing global challenges from migration to multilateralism.

In the lead-up to the summit, several high-level events laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation, including the 2024 Investment Conference, the launch of the EU–Egypt Investment Platform 2025, and the €5 billion macro-financial assistance package.

Egypt-EU relations

The ongoing development of Egyptian-European relations coincides with the economic transformation Egypt is witnessing. 

The Egyptian government seeks to continue its path of economic reform by launching the "National Narrative for Economic Development," with the goal of maximizing the benefits of the advanced infrastructure established over the past decade to enhance the economy's competitiveness, shift toward more productive sectors, empower the private sector, localize industry, attract investment, and enhance the efficiency and flexibility of the labor market.

In June 2013, the EU and Egypt began discussing how to deepen their trade and investment relations through a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). A future DCFTA would aim to improve market access and the investment climate. It would also support Egyptian economic reforms.

The foundations of a new phase in Egyptian–European relations began to take shape in 2016 through the EU–Egypt Partnership Programme, which launched the Institutional Twinning Project—a European Union–funded initiative implemented by Spain in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Transport, the National Railway Authority, and the Ministry of International Cooperation.

The €1.3 million project aimed to support the Ministry of Transport in applying a safety management system aligned with European legislation and best practices. It was completed in June 2017, paving the way for deeper collaboration.

Four years later, in September 2020, a turning point came with the visit of Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, marking the start of a new chapter in Egypt–EU dialogue. Borell's visit to Egypt coincided with the arrival of Christian Berger as the new Head of the EU Delegation to Cairo and followed major EU meetings on regional crises in Libya, Lebanon, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

During his meetings in Cairo with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and some ministers, Borrell discussed a broad range of regional and bilateral issues, from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to Libya, the Palestinian cause, and human rights.

The talks reflected a high level of convergence on peace and regional stability, with both sides stressing the importance of dialogue and mutual respect. Borrell reaffirmed the EU’s support for negotiations on the Nile dam dispute and praised Egypt’s pivotal role in advancing peace in the Middle East.

On Libya, both sides agreed on the need to uphold the ceasefire, expel foreign mercenaries, and prevent arms smuggling. The discussions also addressed cooperation in combating COVID-19 and developing joint programs in energy, environment, healthcare, and education.

The 2020 visit set the stage for a strategic transformation in Egypt–EU relations, which culminated in 2024 with the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the announcement of a €7.4 billion European financial package to support Egypt’s development and economic stability.

In 2024, the European Union was Egypt’s largest trading partner, accounting for 22% of total trade, and serving as the top destination for Egyptian exports (26.5%) and the main source of imports (19.9%). The Strategic Partnership is expected to further strengthen economic integration and advance the implementation of the EU–Egypt Free Trade Zone, established under the 2004 Association Agreement.

Egypt and the European Union have consistently aligned on the need to revive the Middle East peace process and achieve a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. 

The EU officially supported Egypt's role in facilitating ceasefires and peace efforts in Gaza, and stands with Egypt's calls for a ceasefire and the need for a political solution. The EU has backed ceasefire plans that included Egypt and supports Egypt's opposition to any forced displacement of Gazans.

Strategic partnership

The European Union (EU) and Egypt have strengthened their long-standing partnership, elevating relations to a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership during a landmark agreement signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on 17 March 2024.

The new framework expands cooperation across six key areas: political relations, economic stability, trade and investment, migration and mobility, security, and human capital development.

This milestone builds on the EU-Egypt Association Agreement, in force since 2004, which set the foundation for political dialogue and economic cooperation. 

Updated Partnership Priorities for 2022–2027 were adopted to align with the EU’s New Agenda for the Mediterranean and Egypt’s Vision 2030, focusing on sustainable development, regional stability, and foreign policy collaboration.

To support the new phase of cooperation, the EU announced a €7.4 billion financial package for 2024–2027, including:

€5 billion in macro-financial assistance,€1.8 billion in investments through the Southern Neighbourhood Economic and Investment Plan, and€600 million in bilateral grants, of which €200 million target migration programs.

The strengthened partnership underscores Egypt’s pivotal role as a key regional actor and a strategic partner for Europe in advancing stability and shared prosperity across the Mediterranean.

“Excellent opportunity”

The upcoming summit falls within the framework of this strengthened partnership, aiming to deepen political and economic cooperation while promoting stability, peace, and shared prosperity across the region.

The summit’s agenda will address a number of pressing global and regional issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Russian war on Ukraine, and matters related to multilateralism, trade, migration, and security.

“Egypt is a key strategic partner in view of its geographical location and the major stabilizing role it plays in the Middle East region,” President of the European Council, António Costa said in a press release published by the European Council.

Costa added: “Our first bilateral summit will be an excellent opportunity to further deepen our partnership, cooperate in addressing our common challenges and unleash the full potential of our relationship.”

The European External Action Service (EEAS) on its Facebook page said that Egypt is a key strategic partner for the European Union, playing an essential role in the stability of the Middle East and North Africa.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the convening of this historic summit, the first ever between Egypt and the European Union, marks the culmination of the comprehensive strategic partnership, which was launched officially in Cairo in March 2024.

The focus of the summit will be on bilateral relations and on further deepening the political and economic partnership, with the aim of fostering the parties' shared stability, peace and prosperity.

The leaders will also discuss today's global challenges, including the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, multilateralism, trade, migration and security.

During the visit, President El-Sisi will hold a series of meetings with senior European Union officials, as well as a number of European leaders. Additionally, the President will meet with His Majesty the King of Belgium.

The visit aims to strengthen the frameworks of political cooperation and coordination with the European side as well as with Belgium on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit will also have a significant economic dimension, with a major economic forum on investment opportunities in Egypt being held on the sidelines, featuring broad participation from leading European companies and business sector leaders. Furthermore, discussions will focus on Egypt's vision for combating illegal migration, and a multitude of key issues of common concern.