In a landmark meeting that could reshape the dynamics of the Mediterranean region, Egypt and the European Union convened their first-ever summit in Brussels on October 22, 2025. This high-profile gathering, attended by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa, highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between Cairo and Brussels amid a backdrop of economic challenges, regional instability, and shifting global alliances.
The summit, which took place in the Belgian capital, brought together leaders from both sides to address a broad range of pressing issues. These included security, trade, migration, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza. According to AP, the meeting was also expected to yield announcements of increased European economic assistance to Egypt and Cairo’s admission to the EU’s prestigious Horizons research incubation program—a €175 billion fund dedicated to scientific research and innovation in fields like quantum technology and the space industry.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, underscored the importance of this evolving partnership after her own meeting with President el-Sissi in Brussels. In a social media post, Kallas stated, “Together, we’re advancing our Strategic Partnership for more investment & economic opportunities.” She further affirmed the EU’s readiness to coordinate closely with Egypt on a host of international issues, including the Middle East, Sudan, Libya, and Ukraine.
The timing of the summit was no accident. The 27-nation EU bloc has been actively seeking new trade and security deals in response to a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, marked by the combative policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and tightening export controls from Chinese President Xi Jinping. As Cairo News noted, the EU’s so-called Pact for the Mediterranean is a key part of this strategy, aiming for deeper integration with countries from Morocco to Turkey. In practice, this means offering European aid in exchange for greater cooperation on migration management and other regional challenges.
For Egypt, the stakes could hardly be higher. The country is grappling with soaring inflation and economic instability, exacerbated by the lingering war in neighboring Gaza. The conflict has not only strained Egypt’s resources but also contributed to broader regional volatility. President el-Sissi has been vocal about the need for a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recently telling European leaders that the U.S. Mideast proposal represents the “last chance” for peace and reiterating his call for a two-state solution that would grant Palestinians an independent state.
Economic cooperation between the EU and Egypt has already reached significant milestones. In March 2024, President el-Sissi and President von der Leyen signed a joint declaration on a strategic and comprehensive partnership, which included a massive €7.4 billion aid and investment package for Egypt covering the period from 2024 to 2027. According to EU statistics, this package comprises €600 million in grants—with €200 million earmarked for migration management—alongside €5 billion in soft loans and €1.8 billion in targeted investments. Key projects under this initiative include energy transformation and support for Egypt’s Water-Food-Energy Nexus, a cornerstone of the nation’s climate strategy.
The economic ties don’t stop there. In 2024, the EU emerged as Egypt’s top trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods reaching €32.5 billion and accounting for 22 percent of Egypt’s overall trade. As AP reported, these financial lifelines have become increasingly vital for Egypt, whose economy has been battered by years of austerity measures, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and most recently, disruptions caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict. The situation has been further complicated by Houthi attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea, which have slashed revenues from the Suez Canal—a critical source of foreign currency for Egypt—by forcing maritime traffic to circumvent Africa rather than pass through the canal.
Migration, always a sensitive topic in Europe, was front and center during the summit. Both Brussels and Cairo share serious concerns over the flow of asylum-seekers and migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. Over the past decade, increased arrivals have fueled the rise of far-right populism in Europe and led to stricter border controls, policies that have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations. Yet, as President el-Sissi pointed out in a meeting with Kaja Kallas, “Europe hasn’t been significantly affected by illegal immigration” from Egypt’s shores, as Egyptian authorities have prevented the launch of many migrant boats since 2016, according to a statement from the president’s office.
Egypt itself faces significant migration pressures. The country, which has a population of 116 million, hosts approximately 9 million migrants, including about 900,000 registered refugees and asylum-seekers under the auspices of the U.N. refugee agency. Many of these individuals come from sub-Saharan Africa, seeking refuge from armed conflict and dire poverty. While Egypt has become a point of transit for those attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe, it has also long served as a sanctuary for countless migrants in search of safety and opportunity.
The summit’s agenda also included Egypt’s anticipated admission to the EU’s Horizons research program, a move that could open new avenues for scientific collaboration and innovation. This step is seen as a recognition of Egypt’s potential as a regional leader in research and development, as well as a means to strengthen ties between the two sides beyond traditional trade and economic assistance.
Not everyone is convinced that the burgeoning partnership addresses all the region’s challenges. Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, called on President el-Sissi to press the EU for more robust support for Gaza. At the same time, she urged European leaders to push Egypt to address concerns about “rampant arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and harsh prison sentences of critics.” These calls highlight the delicate balance both sides must strike between advancing strategic interests and upholding human rights.
As President el-Sissi’s visit to Brussels included meetings with not only EU leaders but also King Philippe I of Belgium, the summit underscored Egypt’s growing importance on the European stage. The discussions and deals struck this week may well set the tone for Mediterranean cooperation in the years to come, as both sides seek stability, prosperity, and a measure of security in a world that feels increasingly unpredictable.
With economic aid flowing, migration managed, and new research collaborations on the horizon, the EU-Egypt partnership is entering a new phase—one that will test the resolve and ingenuity of both parties as they navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
