CAIRO – Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli confirmed that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s participation in the first Egypt-European Union Summit comes as a culmination of the comprehensive strategic partnership path between Egypt and the European Union, announced in March 2024.
The summit begins in the Belgian capital, Brussels Wednesday – with the presence of presidents, leaders, and heads of government from a large number of European countries.
He emphasized that this is the first summit of its kind, reflecting the great importance both sides (Egypt and the EU) place on further strengthening and expanding their cooperation.
It also reflects the mutual desire to deepen trade and investment ties and turn them into a genuine driver of development across various sectors and infrastructure.
This came during the weekly cabinet meeting, chaired by Madbouli, at the cabinet’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), to discuss several files and issues.
Madbouli explained that the Egypt-EU Summit is rich in high-level meetings and sessions for the president with senior EU officials, as well as with a number of European leaders.
The aim is to support and solidify the foundations of political cooperation and coordination regarding various regional and international issues of mutual concern -one of the key objectives of the summit – alongside discussions on other pivotal matters.
In the same context, Madbouli noted that the summit also includes a key economic component, as an economic forum will be held on its sidelines to explore investment opportunities in Egypt.
This forum will be attended by major European companies and business leaders, providing a significant opportunity to present Egypt’s vision on trade and foreign direct investment, and attract more European investments especially since the European Union is among the largest international blocs investing in Egypt.
The prime minister said that the Egyptian government places great importance on this summit and is anticipating positive outcomes that could bring about a qualitative leap in trade relations between Egypt and EU countries, achieving mutual interests.
He expressed hope that the summit would yield fruitful results in supporting the upcoming phase of Egypt’s structural economic reform program, which the government is currently implementing.
The prime minister then moved on to highlight President Sisi’s attendance of the 42nd Cultural Symposium organized by the Armed Forces, as part of Egypt’s celebrations of the 52nd anniversary of the October Victory.
Madbouli said that this event included powerful messages from the President regarding current developments in the region and Egypt’s intensive efforts over the past two years to stop the ongoing war, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, and work toward the release of hostages and prisoners. These efforts culminated in the ceasefire agreement and the Peace Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Madbouli also touched on the intensive preparations by all ministries and state agencies for the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum on November 1st, noting that only a few days remain until this highly anticipated global event.
He confirmed that work is progressing rapidly by all responsible parties to organize a grand celebration. He is personally following up on the development of the surrounding area and roads leading to the museum, in parallel with preparations for the event.
