European Parliament Delegation Reaffirms Strategic Ties with Egypt

The European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq Countries (DMAS) concluded an official visit to Egypt from 25 to 27 May, marking the first visit of its kind in nearly seven years. The mission, led by Chair Laurent Castillo (EPP, France), included MEPs Christophe Gomart (EPP, France), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D, Austria), and Geadis Geadi (ECR, Cyprus).

The main highlight of the visit was the 14th EU-Egypt Interparliamentary Meeting (IPM), held with members of Egypt’s House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Discussions focused on advancing interparliamentary relations and key shared priorities, including human rights (especially women’s rights), climate change, EU macro-financial assistance, and Egypt’s stabilising role in the region.

The delegation also held high-level meetings with senior Egyptian officials, including Speaker of the House Hanafy El-Gebaly, First Deputy Senate Speaker Bahaa El-Din Abu Shoka, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahmoud Fawzy. These meetings highlighted the importance of deepening EU-Egypt strategic ties amid a complex regional landscape.

Dialogue covered shared interests in counter-terrorism, migration, and the Middle East peace process, with particular concern expressed over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. DMAS reiterated the EU’s support for Egypt’s mediation efforts and called for continued humanitarian access.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with civil society groups, human rights defenders, and the National Council for Human Rights, discussing democratic reforms and freedoms in light of Egypt’s upcoming elections. MEPs encouraged further human rights improvements and legislative transparency.

The delegation toured EU-funded initiatives, including a Team Europe Initiative on wastewater infrastructure supported by the French Development Agency, enhancing clean water access for millions. They also visited the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies, and a school for refugee children, witnessing first-hand the impact of interfaith collaboration and European aid.

Chair Castillo underscored the importance of educational exchanges, people-to-people diplomacy, and long-term cooperation. He extended an invitation to Egyptian parliamentarians to attend the next interparliamentary meeting at the European Parliament in 2026.

The DMAS members thanked the EU Delegation in Cairo for facilitating the successful visit, which they described as a “renewed chapter” in EU-Egypt relations.