Egypt signs deal with EU commission on “strategic and comprehensive partnership”
At the Egypt-EU summit, which started in the capital of Egypt, Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a joint declaration in order to raise the level of Egypt-EU relations to a “strategic and comprehensive partnership”.
According to the written statement made by the Egyptian Presidency, the summit held in Cairo was attended by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Term President Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer and Southern Greek Cypriot Administration leader Nikos Christodoulides attended.
President al-Sisi held separate bilateral meetings with each of the guests, welcoming the elevation of relations between Egypt and the EU to the level of “strategic and comprehensive partnership” and discussing increasing cooperation in many areas.
Giorgia Meloni: We appreciate Egypt’s efforts in combating illegal migration
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was among the European leaders who attended the ceremony in Cairo, where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed the memorandum of understanding envisaging 7.4 billion euros in financing for Egypt.
In her statement here, Giorgia Meloni stated that they, as Italy, are proud of the role they played in the realization of this agreement and said, “This agreement with the EU is the best way to combat illegal migration flows. We appreciate Egypt’s efforts in this regard.” she said.
Meloni also noted that they, as Italy, wish to help the states of transit in migration to deal with human traffickers through investments and incentives, through the “Mattei Plan”, which includes development moves for Africa.
“We are trying to establish an international alliance to fight human traffickers,” she said.
The war in Gaza was also mentioned in meetings
Sisi also discussed regional situations with the guests, especially Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.
Emphasizing the necessity of ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and ending the war immediately, Sisi stated that Israel should not attack the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip, warning that otherwise this would lead to consequences that would deeply affect the entire region.
