Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty said on Saturday, July 04, 2026, the visit of European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka €š¬¦ uica reflects the growing strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union and underscores both sides' commitment to expanding cooperation.
According to State Information Service Egypt, during a joint press conference with €š¬¦ uica, Abdelatty said the visit comes amid increasing momentum in Egypt-EU ties following the elevation of relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasized that both parties remain committed to close coordination on political, security, and economic issues of shared interest.
The Minister highlighted that bilateral relations have accelerated since the inaugural Egypt-EU summit in Brussels in October 2025, which brought together President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council. He noted that high-level exchanges have continued, citing Sisi's participation in an Egypt-EU meeting in Cyprus in April to discuss Middle East developments and his talks with European leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian in June as evidence of the expanding partnership.
Abdelatty stated that Egypt and the European Union are intensifying efforts to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, with Cairo anticipating a pound 1.5 billion tranche of EU financial assistance to be disbursed soon. He pointed out that €š¬¦ uica's visit follows the recent Egypt-EU Association Council meeting in Luxembourg and reflects the steady expansion of dialogue between Cairo and Brussels.
The discussions focused on advancing cooperation under six agreed priority areas, including security, regional stability, economic and investment ties, energy, migration, and human development, while reinforcing political consultations. Abdelatty outlined Egypt's economic reform efforts and called for increased European investment, technology transfer, and support for the private sector to boost growth and job creation.
He also mentioned discussions on the implementation of the EU's pound 7.4 billion financial support package for Egypt. After an initial pound 2 billion disbursement, Cairo expects the first pound 1.5 billion installment of the remaining pound 3 billion in direct budget support to arrive within days, with the final tranche to follow in the coming months.
Foreign Minister Abdelatty noted that mounting regional conflicts have imposed significant economic and security burdens on Egypt, calling for closer cooperation with the European Union on migration, regional stability, and financial support. He highlighted that the wars in Gaza, tensions in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, and recent escalation involving Iran had disrupted global energy markets and shipping, leading to reduced traffic through the Suez Canal, costing Egypt more than $10.5 billion in lost revenues.
He said discussions with €š¬¦ uica also focused on Egypt's efforts to combat irregular migration and manage the challenges of hosting more than 10 million refugees, expressing hope that the EU would swiftly disburse a planned pound 200 million migration support package under its broader pound 7.4 billion financial assistance program.
The two sides also reviewed preparations for the second Egypt-EU summit, due to be hosted by Egypt next year, and discussed the Palestinian cause. Abdelatty welcomed continued European financial support for the Palestinian Authority and confirmed Egypt's participation in a donors' conference in Brussels later this month.
On regional security, Abdelatty stated that Egypt and the EU agreed to coordinate efforts to support the implementation of the recent US-Iran memorandum of understanding and advance negotiations on the nuclear issue, sanctions, freedom of navigation, and broader regional security in consultation with regional partners.