Overview
- The inaugural EU–Egypt summit in Brussels on October 22 brought together Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi to discuss security, trade, migration and Gaza.
- European Council President António Costa said three agreements were signed, including a deal granting Egypt participation in the EU’s Horizon Europe research programme.
- Leaders focused on stabilizing Gaza and coordinating reconstruction efforts alongside closer migration cooperation within the EU’s broader Mediterranean partnership approach.
- The EU’s €7.4 billion support package to Egypt remains in progress, with €1 billion disbursed and €4 billion in macro‑financial assistance approved but pending a new Memorandum of Understanding.
- Rights groups urged concrete human‑rights reforms in Egypt, while Brussels prepares a November 20 donor conference for the Palestinian Authority as Egypt plans a separate Gaza reconstruction meeting with coordination still unclear.