Egypt’s ties with the European Union are entering a new phase of cooperation with the first-ever Egypt-EU summit, led by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, set to be held in Brussels.
The summit, described by the Egyptian presidency as “historic”, follows months of repeated European financial support for Cairo and is expected to deepen their strategic partnership and expand opportunities for cooperation amid global upheaval, according to former Egyptian diplomats who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat.
They said the meeting would also address regional political crises.
Sisi arrived in the Belgian capital on Tuesday to head Egypt’s delegation at the summit, scheduled for Wednesday, the presidency said in a statement.
Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said the “historic summit - the first of its kind between Egypt and the EU - crowns the comprehensive strategic partnership officially launched in Cairo in March 2024.”
On the sidelines of the visit, Sisi will hold a series of key meetings with senior EU officials, a number of European leaders, and the King of Belgium to solidify frameworks for cooperation and political coordination on regional and international issues of common concern.
The visit also includes “a pivotal economic component,” with a major economic forum to be held on the sidelines focusing on investment opportunities in Egypt. The forum will bring together leading European corporations and business executives and will discuss Egypt’s vision for combating irregular migration, according to the presidency.
Trade between Egypt and EU member states reached about $31.2 billion in 2023, according to data released by Egypt’s statistics agency last March.
The EU remains Egypt’s leading investor, with accumulated investments of around €38.8 billion, roughly 39% of Egypt’s total foreign direct investment (FDI). Egypt is the EU’s second-largest FDI recipient in the Middle East and North Africa region, according to the EU Delegation in Cairo.
Ambassador Mohamed Higazy, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and a former assistant foreign minister, said the summit reaffirms the bilateral partnership agreement and represents a key opportunity to enhance cooperation between the two sides.
In March 2024, Sisi and the European Commission signed a declaration upgrading Egypt-EU relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” in the presence of the prime ministers of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Austria. The agreement outlined cooperation in six areas: political relations, economic stability, investment, trade, migration, and security.
Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, former secretary-general of the Egypt-EU Partnership Association and a former assistant foreign minister, said the summit carries significant weight as “the first of its kind,” adding that no similar summit has ever been held with any Mediterranean country before.
He said the meeting reflects “a clear intent to accelerate cooperation with Egypt across multiple sectors.”
Bayoumi expected the summit to result in greater European investment in Egypt, expanded collaboration, and increased trade volumes between the two sides.
In March 2024, the EU announced an €8 billion financial support package for Egypt, covering trade and investment sectors over the coming years. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in January 2025 that Cairo had received an initial €1 billion tranche from a €7.4 billion EU financing package.
On May 20, EU lawmakers and member states reached an agreement to provide Egypt with €4 billion ($4.5 billion) in loans to bolster its economy and strengthen cooperation under the strategic partnership.
The European Parliament said in a statement that “a short-term loan of up to €1 billion was disbursed at the end of 2024, and an additional loan of up to €4 billion will now follow.” Cairo will have a repayment period of up to 35 years, it added.
Higazy said the coming period will witness “broader cooperation between both sides, especially in investment,” describing the European aid and financing packages as a recognition of Egypt’s regional importance and a commitment to supporting its economy and future.
Bayoumi, who led Egypt’s negotiations with the EU for the 2001 partnership agreement, said economic issues would likely take priority among the summit’s agenda items, with prospects for success bolstered by Europe’s continued backing of Cairo amid regional turmoil.
