She underlined that the Brussels Summit reflects a clear European commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with Egypt over the long term.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that economic cooperation between Egypt and the European Union (EU) has entered a new phase centered on supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), while expanding investment opportunities in innovation, technology, and clean energy.
Speaking at the closing session of the EU–Egypt Economic Event in Brussels, Von der Leyen emphasized that micro-enterprises account for around 50% of Egypt’s economic activity, highlighting the EU’s commitment to bolstering this sector through its new financial support package. She noted that these efforts are essential to fostering a vibrant business environment and attracting investment.
“What we are seeing is not only good news for Egypt’s economic stability,” she said, “but also a promising signal for a strong and resilient economic future.”
Von der Leyen also announced Egypt’s official accession to the Horizon Europe program, the EU’s largest research and innovation initiative. The move will enable Egyptian and European researchers to collaborate on large-scale projects in advanced computing, clean energy, and emerging technologies.
The Commission President added that the EU is working to deepen economic integration with Southern Mediterranean countries, noting that the Mediterranean Pact, unveiled last week, includes initiatives aimed at stimulating investment flows into the region, particularly Egypt.
She also unveiled plans for a new investment platform dedicated to supporting clean energy and technology projects across the Mediterranean coast. The initiative will allow European AI-focused factories to collaborate with Egyptian startups, enabling them to test prototypes and harness advanced computing capabilities.
“Why don’t we produce together, in our shared region, the software and batteries we currently import?” von der Leyen asked, stressing that this shared vision is what drives Europe and Egypt toward deeper cooperation and a joint industrial future.
She underlined that the Brussels Summit reflects a clear European commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with Egypt over the long term. “The success of this vision depends on the business leaders and investors present today,” she said. “You are the ones who make the difference, you are our true partners for the future.”
Von der Leyen concluded with a message of partnership and optimism: “Let us build a new bridge between Egypt and Europe and cross it together through joint investment, because the investments we make today will be the strength of Egypt and Europe tomorrow.”
She also extended her appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, expressing her wish for continued friendship and cooperation between Egypt and the European Union.
