Eu's Military Collaboration with Egypt Shapes Up
The European Union (EU) is deepening its military ties with Egypt, aiming for a defensive and security partnership in the long run. European forces will soon engage in joint naval exercises with Egyptian counterparts as part of the EU operation Atalanta, combating piracy off Somalia's coast. This is the initial step, with plans to expand cooperation beyond this, EU diplomats stated to "Welt am Sonntag."
In 2023, the EU intends to support Egypt's military by allocating €10 million from the European Peace Facility (EPF). This support might be directed towards bolstering the Egyptian armed forces' border patrols against militias.
Migratory Benefits
The EU funding will be utilized to enhance border security measures, such as deploying drones, motion detectors, and surveillance cameras for surveillance duties. It will also provide funds for demining projects, as numerous unexploded ordnances from WWII still remain unrecovered in Egypt.
Egypt's efforts in hosting an increasing number of refugees have gained recognition from the EU. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Egypt plays a significant role in maintaining national security and stability in the Middle East. Brussels wants to continue supporting Egypt's coast guard, including purchasing boats and training border guards, with a planned €87 million investment.
Crucial Partner for EU
The EU considers Egypt a vital ally in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East due to its increased role in sheltering refugees. The EU Commission is actively pursuing a migration agreement with Egypt, recognizing its importance in regional security.
Enrichment data insights:
- The EU and Egypt have signed a military cooperation agreement with Kuwait, aiming to combat regional threats and enhance the exchanging of expertise [2].
- The EU has allocated €7.4 billion in aid to support Egypt in managing migration, which includes grants, loans on favorable terms, and additional investments under the "Southern Neighborhood Economic and Investment Plan" [3].
- The EU aims to improve cooperation with Egyptian law enforcement through Europol, despite concerns regarding Egypt's human rights record, primarily focused on combating terrorism and radicalization [1].
