Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kicked off an official visit to Spain on Tuesday, during which he is set to sign an agreement elevating bilateral relations to the level of a “strategic partnership.”
Sisi’s visit is also part of Egypt’s broader efforts to rally international and European support for the Palestinian cause and counter calls for the “forced displacement” of Palestinians.
Cairo’s engagement with Europe has gained momentum recently, particularly after Egypt and the European Union signed a Joint Declaration in March last year, raising their relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
A spokesperson for the Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi will meet with Spain’s King and prime minister, as well as representatives of major Spanish companies. He will also participate in an economic forum with the Spanish business community.
Sisi’s visit to Madrid comes at a crucial time when Egypt is mobilizing international support for the Palestinian cause and opposing any displacement of Palestinians.
Ambassador Rakha Ahmed, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that Spain could play a key role in supporting the Arab stance that rejects Palestinian displacement, as it was among four European nations to recently recognize the State of Palestine.
In May, Spain, alongside Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, officially recognized an independent Palestinian state.
Egypt and other Arab nations have strongly rejected proposals by US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials advocating for the displacement of Gaza’s population. Instead, Cairo has put forward a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring its residents remain in place.
Ahmed told Asharq Al-Awsat that Spain’s position on the Palestinian issue aligns with Egypt’s and the broader Arab stance, as it rejects the displacement of Gaza’s residents and supports reconstruction efforts while keeping Palestinians in their homeland.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated during a Socialist Workers’ Party conference on Saturday that his country “will not allow the implementation of the US president’s proposal.”
Spain’s support for the Arab position extends to its influence within the European Union, where it could play a leading role in shaping EU policy on the Palestinian issue, according to Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and former Secretary-General of the Egypt-EU Partnership Unit.
Madrid could emerge as a “key force within the EU in support of Palestinian rights,” he noted.
Bayoumi also emphasized the significance of elevating Egyptian-Spanish relations to a strategic partnership, calling it “a vital step that strengthens cooperation between Cairo and Madrid across multiple sectors.”
He added that the agreements signed during Sisi’s visit would help facilitate trade liberalization and attract more joint investments.
Bilateral trade between Egypt and Spain reached $3.1 billion last year, slightly down from $3.2 billion in 2023. Spanish investments in Egypt totaled $123 million in the last fiscal year, according to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.
