The tenth meeting of the Association Council between the European Union and Egypt took place in Brussels on 23 January 2024. The event marks the 20th anniversary since the Association Agreement entered into force in 2004 and confirmed the robust and multifaceted partnership between the two parties. The meeting was co-chaired by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt.

The Association Council took stock of the progress made on the joint Partnership Priorities adopted in June 2022 with a view to promoting joint interests. The EU and Egypt intend to pursue a cooperation that promotes multilateralism and the rules-based international order. They will continue working together to foster stability, peace and security in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa. In view of the importance they attach to their relationship, the EU and Egypt intend to elevate it to the level of a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership. The EU and Egypt exchanged views over a number of regional crises and global challenges.

The EU and Egypt shared their concern for the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza. They urged maximum restraint and the protection of civilians in accordance with the universal principles of International Humanitarian Law. Both sides reiterate the need to ensure the immediate, sustainable and unconditional delivery of humanitarian and medical aid. The EU and Egypt are committed to continue to work closely together to alleviate the human suffering of the people in Gaza, and affirmed their strong rejection of any form of individual or collective displacement, forced or otherwise, of Palestinians from any part of the occupied territory, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Egypt called for an immediate ceasefire; the EU stressed the urgency of humanitarian pauses.