Signing an agreement to deal with the influx of refugees with Egypt is on the agenda of the European Union

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency quoting “New Zurich Zeitung” newspaper, the European Union wants to sign an agreement with Egypt to curb the migration flow through the Mediterranean Sea. The regime of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt is seen as a reliable partner in Brussels.

The European Commission hopes to conclude a new migration agreement with Egypt this month. Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, announced this in a letter to the heads of EU member states before the last summit in mid-December.

He stressed He said that he is talking about a “strategic and comprehensive partnership” that Brussels wants to create. It is not only about curbing illegal immigration from across the Mediterranean, but also about military cooperation with the regime of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

On this basis specifically , European soldiers are going to conduct joint maneuvers with the Egyptian Navy as part of the European Union operation Atalanta (Eunavfor Atalanta).

This operation aims to fight against theft The sea has been carried out on the coast of Somalia. More recently, there was also consideration of expanding its mission to protect international shipping in the Red Sea against Yemeni missile attacks – but this failed due to Spain’s veto.

Like other so-called partnership agreements of the European Union, this agreement also includes cooperation in the field of energy and trade issues. Egypt, Israel and the European Union agreed in June 2022 to export Israel’s natural gas through a pipeline to Egypt and from there to Europe through liquefied gas terminals.

At the COP 27 climate conference in November 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, the European Union and Egypt even concluded a partnership agreement in the field of renewable hydrogen.

The European Union finally wants to help Egypt’s ailing economy with investments, loans and debt relief. The Europeans are Cairo’s most important trading partner, but they are by no means the only actors: China in particular is vastly expanding its trade volume and thus its influence in the country.

Therefore, it is psychologically important for Brussels that the agreement with Egypt be declared “comprehensive” and not limited to immigration.

Recently of course Qais Said, the ruler of Tunisia, questioned a similar plan between Tunisia and the European Union and declared that he does not need any “instructions” from Europe.

This agreement With Saeed, it is actually considered a model for future partnerships. This country receives one billion euros in financial aid in exchange for intercepting refugee boats and fighting against smuggling gangs, and this agreement definitely emphasizes that the European Union also wants to expand trade relations and Economically interested in Tunisia.

Of course, Saeed has now found a new partner in Saudi Arabia, who wants to help his country financially without asking for anything annoying in return. Bargaining between Tunisia and Brussels is still going on.

In the case of Egypt, such huge sums are not yet in question. In 2023, EU countries agreed on 110 million euros from the common budget to finance the “Sisi border management”. Another 87 million euros are planned for this year. This includes the delivery of three patrol boats for the Egyptian Coast Guard.

Egypt is deeply in debt and in the worst economic crisis in decades. At the same time, al-Sisi rules the country with an iron fist. However, the disastrous human rights situation in Egypt, well documented by organizations such as Human Rights Watch, does not play a role in bilateral negotiations with the EU.

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