Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati chaired the 11th meeting of the Egypt–EU Association Council alongside EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, with the participation of more than ten EU foreign ministers.
In his opening remarks, Abdel-Aati emphasized that this was the first Council meeting held under the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership launched in Cairo in March 2024. He noted the opportunity to assess progress across the six partnership pillars and to chart a more ambitious vision for future cooperation amid geopolitical challenges.
The Minister highlighted milestones including the inaugural Egypt–EU Summit in Brussels (October 2025) and preparations for the second summit in Egypt in 2027. He stressed the growing importance of security cooperation, citing the launch of the Egypt–EU Security and Defense Dialogue in March 2026 and ongoing counterterrorism consultations.
On the economic front, Abdel-Aati pointed to expanding European investment, collaboration in energy and green hydrogen, and momentum from the 2025 Cairo Investment Conference and Brussels high-level investment forum. He outlined Egypt’s structural reforms to improve the business climate and strengthen private sector participation, while underlining opportunities in joint manufacturing and supply chain development.
Discussions also covered migration, education, and research cooperation, as well as regional issues including Gaza, Libya, Sudan, Lebanon, the Horn of Africa, and Ukraine. Abdel-Aati reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to supporting negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and stressed the centrality of the Palestinian issue, calling for sustained humanitarian access to Gaza and warning against escalating settlement activity in the West Bank.
EU officials praised Egypt’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, highlighting its mediation efforts in Gaza, Sudan, and Libya, and its contribution to advancing dialogue and diplomacy across the Mediterranean.
