EU Announces €7.3 Billion Aid Package for Egypt Amid Migrant Crisis
CAIRO — Amid concerns of increasing economic pressure and conflicts in neighboring countries leading to a surge in migrants attempting to reach European shores, the European Union unveiled a substantial €7.3 billion aid package for Egypt on Sunday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen led a high-level delegation to meet with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo. The delegation also included the prime ministers of Italy, Greece, Austria, and Belgium, as well as the President of Cyprus.
The aid package, set to be signed during the visit, comprises a combination of grants and loans spanning the next three years for Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, as confirmed by the European Union Mission in Cairo.
Both parties have elevated their cooperation to a “strategic and comprehensive partnership,” as outlined in a document from the EU mission in Egypt, signaling a broader scope for collaboration in economic and non-economic spheres.
Notably, the EU funds will support Egypt in bolstering its border security, particularly with Libya, a critical transit point for migrants escaping poverty and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, the aid will aid in hosting Sudanese refugees who have fled ongoing clashes between rival factions in their homeland.
While Egypt has long been a sanctuary for migrants seeking refuge from sub-Saharan Africa, some view it as a final destination while others see it as a stepping stone before embarking on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe.
Despite not being a primary launching point for human traffickers sending boats to Europe, Egypt faces mounting migratory pressures from the region, exacerbated by the looming threat of spillover from the Israel-Hamas conflict.
However, the aid package has drawn criticism from international rights groups over Egypt’s human rights record. Amnesty International condemned the deal, urging European leaders to not turn a blind eye to the human rights violations occurring in Egypt.
“EU leaders must hold the Egyptian authorities accountable by setting clear human rights benchmarks,” stated Eve Geddie, Head of the European Institutions Office at Amnesty International, highlighting Egypt’s crackdown on media, freedom of expression, and civil society. — Euronews
