Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – President of the European Council Antonio Costa in Brussels met with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty to discuss the Gaza ceasefire deal.
Badr Abdelatty praised the growth of Egypt-EU ties since the visit of President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen to Cairo in March 2024 where an understanding of elevating links to the strategic level was marked. He stated that the deal has generated more interest from the European private sector to invest in Egypt, highlighting the country’s eagerness to execute all axes of the strategic partnership.
Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the €7.4-billion financial assistance package given by the EU to Egypt and the distribution of the first tranche worth €1 billion, stating that the country looked forward to the approval of the second tranche worth €4 billion.
The session equally addressed the consecutive regional happenings, especially those pertaining to the Gaza Strip. In that consideration, Minister Abdelatty portrayed the strenuous measures deployed by Egypt to achieve a deal on ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.
https://x.com/MfaEgypt/status/1881229900201467919How are Costa and El-Sisi strengthening regional cooperation?
A few days back, on January 9, 2025, European Council President António Costa reportedly held a telephonic talk with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on bilateral and regional matters, in which EU-Egyptian cooperation assumes much importance.
Costa and El-Sisi discussed improving cooperation between Egypt and the EU, especially amid ongoing regional challenges. President El-Sisi expressed his desire for EU support to enhance Egypt’s efforts to ensure stability in the region as tensions continue to rise in the surrounding areas. The call comprised a thorough exchange on different matters, signifying a strong commitment to dialogue and cooperation from both leaders.
El-Sisi also emphasized that the two-state solution is vital for lasting peace and security in the region, while he rejected any attempts to undermine the Palestinian cause. The remaining issues dealt with the need to preserve Syria’s unity and integrity of territory while launching a political process involving all segments of its population.