On Tuesday 23 January 2024, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy, Olivér Várhelyi, announced that a new partnership between the EU and Egypt could be signed in the coming weeks. This strategic and comprehensive partnership would be based on the Association Agreement that has bound the EU and Egypt since 2004 and the partnership priorities signed two years ago.

On 17 March 2024, a Joint Declaration on the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership between the Arab Republic Of Egypt and the European Union was signed. On migration and mobility, it stipulates that "The European Union will further provide the necessary financial support to assist Egypt on migration-related programs that entail developing a holistic approach to migration including legal migration pathways in line with national competences, and mobility schemes such as the Talent Partnerships, tackling the root causes of irregular migration, combating smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, strengthening border management, and ensuring dignified and sustainable return and reintegration. The EU and Egypt will continue to cooperate in order to support Egypt's efforts in hosting refugees and both sides are committed to the protection of the rights of migrants and refugees."

To underpin this partnership, the EU is proposing a substantial financial support package for Egypt worth €7.4 billion for 2024-2027, including €200 million for migration management.

The agreement with Egypt fits into a series of similar deals that Brussels has signed with Turkey, Tunisia and Mauritania. Such deals face criticism from advocacy groups which say the deals lack safeguards on human rights.

For further information please read the press release from the European Commission. You can also find useful information on relations between the EU and Egypt on this page.