Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held a meeting on Thursday with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola at the Parliament HQ in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
The Egyptian president’s visit to Brussels falls within the framework of his participation in the first EU-Egypt Summit.
At the outset of the meeting, President Sisi voiced his appreciation for the positive and supportive role played by the European Parliament and its president especially, in enhancing the partnership path between Egypt and the European Union (EU), Presidential Spokesman Mohamed el-Homosani stated.
The Egyptian president also emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between the two sides on the various issues of common interest, alongside accelerating the implementation of the pillars of the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership and enhancing Egyptian-European parliamentary dialogue; being a bridge for communication between the peoples of the two shores of the Mediterranean, said the spokesman.
For her part, Metsola voiced appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in reaching an agreement to stop the war in the Gaza Strip, affirming that without President Sisi’s efforts in this regard, it would not have been possible to reach the agreement, he added.
During the meeting, Sisi also reviewed Egypt’s efforts to consolidate security and stability in the Middle East, including the mediation that led, in cooperation with other mediators, to reaching an agreement to halt the war in the Gaza Strip, as well as Egypt’s hosting of Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit with high-level international participation, according to the spokesman.
In this context, it was emphasized that it is necessary to consolidate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensure the entry of sufficient humanitarian aid and provide necessary medical care for the wounded and injured, he said.
In the same context, the President of the European Parliament stressed that the European Union is pushing for the implementation of the two-state solution, added the spokesman.
The meeting also addressed Egypt’s drives in settling regional crises in a manner that preserves the sovereignty, stability, unity and territorial integrity of states and safeguards the resources of their peoples, he said.
For her part, Metsola further praised Egypt’s pivotal role in the region, praising its wise and balanced policies for being a fundamental pillar for stability in the Middle East and the Southern Mediterranean, he added.
The spokesperson noted that the talks also tackled the issue of illegal migration, where Egyptian efforts, which have resulted in halting the departure of illegal migration boats from its shores since September 2016, were commended.
The conferees underlined the importance of enhancing Egyptian-EU cooperation by providing job opportunities for skilled Egyptian labor, facilitating study and training pathways in European countries, and the necessity of striving to achieve development and consolidate stability in relevant countries was emphasized, he added.
The meeting also witnessed consensus on the importance of enhancing communication between the Egyptian Parliament, with its two chambers (the House of Representatives and the Senate) and the European Parliament on various issues of common interest, according to the spokesman.
The spokesman also said that President Sisi expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the honorable stand adopted by the European Parliament in support of the Palestinian cause, which was embodied in the call for a ceasefire and an end to the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip.
Thee president stressed in this regard the necessity of integrating efforts between Egypt and European countries in the next phase to ensure the full implementation of the agreement to stop the war, provide humanitarian assistance and commence the reconstruction of the enclave, he added.
The conferees also welcomed Egypt’s hosting of the conference for the reconstruction and recovery of the Gaza Strip, scheduled for November 2025, the spokesman said.
