Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi touched down at a military airport in Brussels on Saturday, marking the beginning of a pivotal visit to the Kingdom of Belgium. His arrival comes on the eve of the first-ever European Union–Egypt Summit, scheduled to take place on October 22.
This historic summit is expected to serve as a cornerstone in the evolving relationship between Cairo and Brussels, reflecting a mutual desire to elevate cooperation on multiple fronts including economic development, regional security, energy transition, and migration.
President El-Sisi’s participation underscores Egypt’s growing strategic significance to the European Union, particularly in light of its geopolitical position at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. As global powers navigate increasing instability in the Eastern Mediterranean and broader Middle East, both sides view this summit as an opportunity to formalize a more structured and strategic partnership.
During his visit, President El-Sisi is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with top EU officials and leaders of member states. These discussions will likely address a range of pressing issues, including trade, investment, counterterrorism cooperation, and energy security, especially in the context of the EU’s push to diversify energy sources amid ongoing global supply disruptions.
The summit reflects a continuation of Egypt’s recent diplomatic efforts to expand its global partnerships, positioning itself as a central player in addressing shared challenges such as irregular migration, climate change, and regional conflict resolution.
