President Sisi witnesses the signing ceremony of the joint declaration between Egypt and the European Union
Speech of the President of the European Commission during the press conference following the signing of the political declaration
Speech by the Prime Minister of Italy during the Egyptian-European Summit in Cairo
The signing ceremony of the joint political declaration document between Egypt and the European Union
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and the head of the Egyptian Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, at the Egyptian-European Summit - the official page of the Egyptian Presidency on Facebook
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi announced in his speech, during a joint press conference with European leaders, according to a statement by the Egyptian Presidency, Sunday, March 17, 2024, that the European Union will provide support to Egypt’s economy through a financial package estimated at 7.4 billion euros, and this package consists of 3 main components: concessional financing, investment guarantees, and technical support for the implementation of bilateral cooperation projects.
The European Union provides support to Egypt’s economy
The joint press conference, organized by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo with European leaders, included the participation of the President of the European Union Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Belgium and President of the European Union, Alexander De Croo, in addition to the Prime Ministers of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Italy, Giorgia Meloni. , Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer, and President of Greek Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.
In his speech, Sisi said: “Your visit today represented a very important milestone in relations between Egypt and the European Union, as we succeeded together in achieving a qualitative leap in our partnership.” He added: "I signed with the President of the European Commission a joint political declaration document to launch the process of upgrading relations between Egypt and the European Union to the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnership, with the aim of raising the level of cooperation."
He continued: “The process of upgrading relations between Egypt and the European Union was accompanied by a financial package to support the Egyptian economy, and this package (..), which amounts to about 7.4 billion euros, consists of 3 main components.” This package includes "concessional financing, investment guarantees, and technical support for the implementation of bilateral cooperation projects."
Al-Sisi indicated in his speech, during the press conference he held with the leaders of the European Union, which was reported by Egyptian media, that it was agreed with the President of the European Commission to hold an investment conference between Egypt and the European Union during the second half of this year, with the aim of introducing European companies to the opportunities and capabilities. Investment in Egypt, and increasing its involvement in the Egyptian market.
He continued: “Our discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the field of energy, whether with regard to natural gas or electrical connections, as we agreed to cooperate in the field of green hydrogen production as a source of clean energy, and we confirmed the continuation of existing cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, as it contributes to achieving Energy security at the regional and international levels..”
Al-Sisi also added, during the joint press conference with the European leaders, that their visits to Cairo come amid intense momentum witnessed in Egyptian-European relations, whether with the European Union institutions or its member states, according to what was reported by Egyptian media.
Confronting illegal immigration
Al-Sisi also indicated that the discussions addressed the importance of continuing to confront common challenges, most notably illegal immigration, as “we affirmed our commitment to combating this phenomenon within the framework of existing cooperation while including the development dimension in addressing it, in addition to strengthening the paths of regular immigration,” according to what he stated. Published by Egyptian media.
Sisi also stressed: “Agreement on the necessity of supporting Egypt’s efforts, which have succeeded in stopping illegal immigration flows from the Egyptian coasts since 2016, in addition to hosting 9 million foreigners in Egypt who enjoy social and health services, just like Egyptian citizens.”
The European Union had previously announced, on Sunday, March 17, 2024, a financing package worth 7.4 billion euros ($8.06 billion) and strengthening relations with Egypt, as part of an effort to stop migrant flows to Europe, which is the matter. Which sparked criticism from human rights organizations.
The announcement of the agreement, which raises the level of relations between the European Union and Egypt to a “strategic partnership,” came during the visit of a delegation of European Union leaders to Cairo.
The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in areas including renewable energy, trade and security, while providing grants, loans and other forms of financing over the next three years, to support the faltering Egyptian economy.
European governments have long been concerned about the risk of instability in Egypt, which has a population of 106 million and has struggled to obtain foreign currency, as economic difficulties have prompted increasing numbers to emigrate in the past few years.
Warning of the invasion of Rafah
During his meeting with European officials in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed the necessity of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, warning of the danger of an invasion of the Palestinian city of Rafah on the border with his country, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy explained that Sisi stressed that “Egypt rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians to its lands, and will not allow it.”
In another statement, the Egyptian presidency stated that Al-Sisi and the Prime Minister of Belgium, the current President of the European Union, Alexander De Croo, stressed “the danger of invading the city of Rafah, as this will have catastrophic humanitarian repercussions.”
In a related context, diplomats said that Egypt's strategic importance emerged through the war in the Gaza Strip, as Egypt seeks to mediate between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and increase the access of humanitarian aid, as well as the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has caused the largest displacement crisis in the country. the world.
European delegation
On Sunday, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, headed a delegation that met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The delegation also included the prime ministers of Italy, Greece, Austria, Belgium, and the Cypriot president.
For his part, the Egyptian Minister of Finance said that the government collected a total of $20 billion in support from multiple sources after increasing the loan and proceeding with the economic reform program agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund.
While a senior official in the European Commission said that most of the funding provided by the European Union was allocated recently, and was determined through close cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, adding that emergency financing of one billion euros, from among the allocated funds, will be disbursed this year, adding that the four billion The remaining euros will require approval from the European Parliament.
Human rights criticism
This comes as activists criticized Western support for Sisi, who took power a decade ago, after leading the overthrow of Egypt's first democratically elected president.
A strict security crackdown has targeted opponents from across the political spectrum, with the state and army controlling the economy, which businessmen and analysts say has hampered radical reforms called for by the International Monetary Fund.
The European Union says its expanded partnership with Egypt aims to promote democracy and freedoms, but its moves to provide funding in exchange for imposing immigration restrictions in other countries, including Tunisia, have faced obstacles and criticism.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch, concerned with human rights, said about the plan to strengthen relations with Egypt and provide new funding: “The plan is the same as the flawed European Union agreements with Tunisia and Mauritania, as it places stopping the flow of migrants in exchange for ignoring violations.”
https://arabicpost.live/أخبار/2024/03/17/تقديم-الاتحاد-الأوروبي-دعماً-لاقتصاد/
