EU leaders have sealed a €7.4bn (£6.3bn) deal with Egypt to help boost the country’s faltering economy, in an attempt to bring stability to the “troubled” region and avert another migration crisis in Europe.
The strategic partnership between the EU and Egypt, spanning over three years, includes €5bn in soft loans to aid economic reforms, €1.8bn to facilitate investments from the private sector, and €600m in grants, with €200m allocated for managing migration.
The agreement was made only a few days following accusations from European parliament members that Brussels was supporting tyrants through a previous deal with Tunisia in the previous year.
According to Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, six leaders from the European Union journeyed to Cairo on Sunday due to persistent and successful diplomatic efforts between the EU and Egypt over the last few months.
The leader of the delegation, Ursula von der Leyen, who is the president of the European Commission, stated that the agreement emphasized the importance of Egypt’s strategic position in a turbulent area and its essential contribution to the stability of the region.
During this event, she urged for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, the liberation of all captives, and immediate assistance for the Palestinian people. Expressing deep worry about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the dire state of affairs for its inhabitants, she emphasized the urgency of finding a resolution for a ceasefire that will also enable the release of hostages and facilitate more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.
Meloni and she met with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, along with the prime ministers of Greece, Austria, Cyprus, and Belgium.
“The attendance of six European leaders today serves as a testament to the significance of our partnership. We both prioritize stability and prosperity in our strategic interests,” Von der Leyen expressed to Sisi. “Given your considerable political and economic influence, as well as your strategic placement in a tumultuous region, the importance of our relationship will continue to grow.”
The three-year contract is a part of the group’s most recent effort to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean, but it covers more than the previous €150m deal with Tunisia that caused controversy last year.
Meloni commended Sisi for Egypt’s involvement, alongside the US and Qatar, in ongoing efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. Additionally, she discussed migration, a pressing political issue within the country.
The speaker suggested that the global north should do more than just dismantle people-smuggling groups in order to dissuade individuals in the global south from migrating to Europe. Rather, they should focus on affirming their rights in Africa and supporting economic development. This aligns with their current efforts.
During the event, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo took the opportunity to urge Israel. He stated, “The current state of affairs in Gaza is not acceptable,” and emphasized that the international court of justice has issued a temporary ruling requiring Israel to improve accessibility for humanitarian aid. However, he noted that the opposite has been observed in reality.
The European governments have been concerned for a while about the potential instability in Egypt. With a population of 106 million, the country has faced challenges in generating foreign currency. Due to economic hardships and poverty, there has been a significant rise in the number of people leaving the country in recent times.
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Greece and Italy have expressed alarm over the potential for a new refugee crisis arising from Gaza and Egypt. The UN’s International Organization for Migration reports that Egypt currently houses roughly 9 million refugees, including 4 million from Sudan and 1.5 million from Syria.
Von der Leyen, Meloni, and De Croo were joined by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the prime minister of Greece, Karl Nehammer, the Austrian chancellor, and Nikos Christodoulides, the president of Cyprus, in Egypt.
According to Human Rights Watch, the agreement would “confer benefits upon Egypt’s authoritarian ruler.”
According to reports, Sisi’s rise to power through a coup in 2013 and subsequent presidency in 2014 has led to a government that rules Egypt with harsh tactics, including silencing dissent, imprisoning dissenters, and restricting media and civil society.
In a statement, it was mentioned that the EU is providing new support to the current oppressive regime, despite its dismal track record.
Following criticism from members of the European Parliament on Wednesday, the European Union stated that it aims to collaborate with neighboring countries in efforts to enhance democratic practices and uphold human rights. This approach prioritizes building partnerships over cutting off ties.
The collaborative statement, consisting of four pages, outlined their dedication to human rights and promised that they would keep striving towards promoting democracy, fundamental freedoms, human rights, gender equality, and equal opportunities, as outlined in the partnership priorities.
Source: theguardian.com
