European Council President António Costa praised Egypt's pivotal role in regional stability, highlighting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's mediation efforts that achieved the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. This came during the first EU-Egypt summit in Brussels. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed Egypt as a cornerstone of stability in the turbulent Middle East.
At the first EU-Egypt summit held in Brussels on October 22, 2025, European Council President António Costa made positive remarks about Egypt's role. Speaking at a joint news conference with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa stated: "Egypt plays a pivotal role in promoting stability and resolving conflicts in the region," praising Sisi's mediation efforts that helped achieve the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.
Costa added that the truce had revived hope for Palestinians and enabled the return of Israeli hostages, urging all parties to act in good faith to sustain the ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid flows, while stressing a lasting peace based on a two-state solution. He expressed the EU's readiness to assist in reconstruction and recovery efforts.
Costa highlighted growing EU-Egypt cooperation in trade, security, migration, energy, and education, describing the summit as "a milestone in our partnership." He welcomed Egypt's accession to the Horizon Europe research program and noted shared concerns over Libya, Sudan, and Somalia, with plans to deepen dialogue on regional security, including maritime safety in the Red Sea, Suez Canal, and Mediterranean.
In high-level talks, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized Egypt as a cornerstone of stability in the turbulent Middle East and a trusted EU partner, citing the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit as evidence of Egypt's commitment. Abdelatty stated: "Despite the close ties with the European Union, we must exert further efforts to deepen this cooperation and unlock the economic potential," calling on European companies to explore investment opportunities in sectors like clean energy, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, and smart transportation. He pointed out that the private sector has accounted for 60 percent of total investments in Egypt since the beginning of the year.