Egypt is a critical country for Europe today and for the days to come,” the commission official said earlier, speaking on condition of anonymity and pointing to Egypt’s “important position in a very difficult neighbourhood”. Egypt already hosts around nine million migrants and refugees, including four million Sudanese and 1.5 million Syrians, the UN’s International Organization for Migration says. The EU official said the deal includes steps to cooperate on “security, counter-terrorism cooperation and protection of borders, in particular the southern one” with Sudan.

The Gaza Strip, where Israel is at war with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas since the October 7 attack, “will not be the main focus but will be part of the discussion” in Cairo, the official added. Egypt holds a crucial position for Europe both presently and in the future,” stated the commission official earlier, speaking anonymously, highlighting Egypt’s significance in a challenging region.

According to the UN’s International Organization for Migration, Egypt already accommodates approximately nine million migrants and refugees, including four million Sudanese and 1.5 million Syrians. The EU official mentioned that the agreement encompasses measures to collaborate on “security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and protection of borders, particularly the southern one,” with Sudan.

Regarding the Gaza Strip, where Israel has been in conflict with the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas since the October 7 attack, the official noted that while it won’t be the primary focus, it will still be part of the discussion in Cairo.