Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 31 March 2026, the 1st EU-Egypt Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Cairo.
The establishment of this Dialogue was agreed at the 1st EU-Egypt Leaders’ Summit in October 2025 and marks a step in strengthening cooperation on a wide range of peace, security and defence matters of common interest, as foreseen through the EU-Egypt Strategic Comprehensive Partnership of March 2024.
The delegations exchanged views on the war in Iran and the wider region, and regional efforts for de-escalation, as well as the ongoing developments in Lebanon, Gaza/occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan and Ukraine. They also touched upon the situations in Syria, Libya, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea and Yemen.
The delegations had extended exchanges on their respective security and defence initiatives. Among others, the EU and Egypt discussed the possible cooperation in training of Palestinian police for deployment to Gaza, in the context of the US-led Comprehensive Plan and in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
EU and Egyptian representatives engaged on several areas of cooperation, such as maritime security and the upholding of freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS; water security; preventing and countering of terrorism; cyber security; non-proliferation and disarmament; EU support through the European Peace Facility; and defence initiatives as well as exploring potential cooperation in these areas.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate for long-term stability, peace and security, rules-based multilateral order and underlined the need for full respect of international law by all parties, including the principles of the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law.
The EU-Egypt Security and Defence Dialogue takes place on a regular basis, alternating between Cairo and Brussels.
The meeting was co-chaired by the European External Action Service’s Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defence, Charles Fries, and Egyptian Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs, Ambassador Wael Hamed.
