In a significant diplomatic move, Egypt convened Egypt-European Union Summit on Sunday (March 17) in Cairo amidst the tumultuous developments unfolding in the Middle East. The summit brought together an array of leaders from the European Union to engage in discussions on cooperation partnerships and regional development.
Notable participants at the summit included Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium and current President of the European Union; Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic; Karl Nehammer, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria; Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus; and Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic.
The deliberations at the summit revolved around several pivotal issues concerning bilateral cooperation and the advancement of mutual interests. The Egyptian Presidential Office disclosed that upon the arrival of EU leaders at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, separate bilateral meetings were held between the Egyptian President and each EU leader.
The summit marked the official acknowledgment of the upgraded “Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership” between Egypt and the European Union, aimed at fostering cooperation and strengthening ties between the two entities. President El-Sisi underscored Egypt’s pivotal role in Euro-Mediterranean relations, highlighting the historical bonds and shared interests between the two sides.
Discussions also encompassed a spectrum of economic and investment cooperation avenues, with a focus on leveraging the relative advantages of both parties. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry elaborated on talks regarding cooperation in industry localization, technology transfer, and energy production, particularly in natural gas. Additionally, cooperation projects in clean energy and green hydrogen were explored with Greece, Belgium, and Austria.
President El-Sisi emphasized joint cooperation between Egypt and Italy in food security, agricultural production, and land reclamation, envisioning the transfer of advanced Italian technology to Egypt in these sectors.
Addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, President El-Sisi stressed the urgent need for the international community to intervene for an immediate ceasefire and to facilitate unrestricted humanitarian aid access to the region. European leaders commended Egypt’s proactive efforts in seeking stability in the region and expressed appreciation for its endeavors toward restoring peace.
