...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
seeks strategic partnership with Cairo amid rising instability across the Middle East
European leaders were expected to announce a 7.4 billion euro ($8.06 billion) funding package and an upgraded relationship with Egypt in Cairo on Sunday, part of a push to stem migrant flows across the Mediterranean that has been criticized by rights groups. The agreement, which lifts the European Union’s relationship with Egypt to a "strategic partnership," is designed to boost cooperation in areas including renewable energy, trade and security while delivering grants, loans and other funding over the next three years to support Egypt’s faltering economy. That funding is expected to include 5 billion euros in macro-financial assistance, 1.8 billion euros of investments and 600 million euros in grants, a senior EU commission official said. The macro-financial assistance includes 1 billion euros in emergency funding to be delivered this year. The remaining 4 billion euros will be subject to approval by the European parliament, the official said. Most of the money is newly allocated and the funding was drawn up in close cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the official added.
European governments have long been worried about the risk of instability in Egypt, a country of 106 million people that has been struggling to raise foreign currency and where economic adversity has pushed increasing numbers to migrate in recent years.
Inflation has been running close to record highs and many Egyptians say they struggle to get by. Over the past month, however, the financial pressure on the government has eased as Egypt has struck a record deal for Emirati investment, expanded its loan program with the IMF and sharply devalued its currency.
Diplomats say Egypt’s strategic importance has been underscored by the conflict in neighboring Sudan
...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...
, which has created the world’s biggest displacement crisis, and the war in Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with an iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about
oppressionand
disproportionate response...
, which borders Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
Egypt has been the main conduit for international humanitarian aid
sent to Gaza, and, along with Qatar...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
and the United States, has been trying to mediate a truce between Israel and Hamas
...the well-beloved offspring of the Moslem Brotherhood,...
The war between Israel and Hamas broke out following Hamas’s devastating October 7 onslaught, which saw murderous Moslems from Gaza infiltrate Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 253 while committing atrocities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is leading a delegation on Sunday that also includes the Italian, Greek, Austrian and Belgian prime ministers, and the Cypriot president.
Egypt’s finance minister has said the government has lined up a total of $20 billion in multilateral support after increasing its loan and economic reform program with the IMF.
CROSSINGS VIA LIBYA
Egyptian officials say Egypt deserves recognition for hosting an estimated nine million foreign residents and largely shutting off irregular migration from its north coast since 2016.
But there has been a surge in Egyptians trying to cross to Europa
...the land mass occupying the space between the English Channel and the Urals, also known as Moslem Lebensraum...
via Libya, and the European Union is already providing funding aimed at reducing those flows.
In recent months, the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos have seen a steep rise in migrant arrivals — mostly from Egypt, Bangladesh and Pakistain — raising concern about a new smuggling route in the Mediterranean.
Activists have criticized Western support for President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who came to power a decade ago after leading the overthrow of Egypt’s first democratically elected leader, Mohammed Morsi, who was affiliated with the Moslem Brüderbund.
Rights groups say tens of thousands of people have been tossed in the slammer
Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un!
in a crackdown that has swept up dissidents from across the political spectrum.
al-Sissi’s backers say security measures were needed to stabilize Egypt after the turmoil of the 2011 "Arab Spring" uprising and pave the way for providing social rights such as housing and jobs.
EU moves to offer financing in return for migration curbs in other countries including in Tunisia have run up against obstacles and criticism.
"The blueprint is the same as the flawed EU deals with Tunisia and Mauritania: stop