I was in Cairo almost exactly one year ago and there have been frequent interactions between the European Union and Egypt at the highest level.  Since my last visit, our partnership – as the Minister has explained – has been growing and has been elevated to a Strategic and Comprehensive one, but – unfortunately – the regional situation continues deteriorating, both in terms of human tragedy and security risks. Not only to your East with Palestine and Lebanon, but also to your West in Libya, and to your South in Sudan, as you rightly mentioned. 

And while I can appreciate our solid bilateral ties with Egypt, I cannot help but mention the dramatic situation in this region, where the confluence of crises poses a direct threat on both Egypt’s and the European Union’s security.  No solution can work without full engagement and support by Egypt – and I thank you for all your efforts in this context.

In our bilateral cooperation, we have been showing solidarity with you in a critical moment – [with] a [financial] package announced in June which is going to be implemented, and the successful Investment Conference that saw some 30 agreements signed totalling almost €50 billion. We will continue supporting Egypt in the recovery, offering assistance in the implementation of the much-needed reforms including in the implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy. And we are very much aware of the impact on your financing by the Houthi’s attacks against navigation in the Red Sea. We will be together with you through investment, and economic and financial support in order to face these difficult circumstances. 

We also have to focus our collective efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a hostage deal in Gaza, while doing everything we can to improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation of people there.  We have been giving full support, Minister, to you – to Egypt – to Qatar and to the United States on trying to look for a ceasefire agreement. A ceasefire that has been announced so many times; we are almost there, but we are not there. Why? Quite simple: because those who are waging war have no interest in putting an end to it.