European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a bold statement during her meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, expressing her opposition to the “forced displacement of Palestinians,” as they discussed the critical issue of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Von der Leyen also conveyed her gratitude to Egypt for its pivotal role in providing and facilitating humanitarian aid to the vulnerable Palestinian population. This reaffirms the commitment to exploring a “political horizon based on a two-state solution,” amidst Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip following the 7th October Hamas attacks.
As per the Hamas government, the death toll in Gaza has reached a devastating figure, with at least 12,000 people, including 5,000 children, having lost their lives since the initiation of Israel’s assault on the Palestinian territory last month.
The conflict stemmed from the Hamas attacks, breaching the heavily militarized border with Israel, leading to approximately 1,200 casualties, predominantly civilians, and the capture of around 240 hostages, as reported by Israeli officials.
Subsequently, Von der Leyen visited North Sinai to witness the arrival of a European Union humanitarian convoy, signaling a collaborative effort in addressing the dire situation. Her itinerary includes an inspection of the Rafah border crossing, an assessment of the aid disbursement, and a visit to the wounded Palestinians in North Sinai.
The influx of international aid at the El-Arish international airport, situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Rafah crossing with Gaza, has been crucial in providing essential assistance to the war-torn Gaza Strip. The Rafah crossing, being the sole entry point for aid not under Israeli control, holds significant importance in facilitating aid flow into Gaza.
On a broader spectrum, von der Leyen’s visit reinstates the historical ties between Egypt and the EU. Egypt’s strategic significance and substantial population present opportunities for mutual cooperation, particularly in the energy sector and the potential exploration of hydrogen in the future, as reaffirmed by a senior EU official.
Egypt’s substantial investment in the development of its natural gas industry, with the aim of becoming a major exporter, has garnered attention. In fact, there are indications that Egypt has the potential to emerge as the principal hydrogen exporter to Europe in 2050, leveraging its existing natural gas pipelines repurposed for hydrogen, as per the insights of researcher Sebastien Douget to AFP.
Moreover, the visit also brings to the forefront the issue of migration, signaling the broad spectrum of discussions taking place, encompassing multi-dimensional aspects of cooperation and engagement between Egypt and the European Union.
In conclusion, the Egypt-EU summit not only underscores the shared commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also opens up avenues for extensive collaboration in various domains, laying the groundwork for a robust and enduring partnership between the two entities.
