The European Union announces an aid package worth $8 billion for Egypt

The European Union announced on Sunday an aid package worth $8 billion for Egypt, which includes grants and loans over the next three years.

This step comes amid fears that economic pressures and conflicts in neighboring countries will push more migrants to European shores.

According to Egyptian officials, the package is scheduled to be signed during the visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders of Belgium, Italy, Austria, Cyprus, and Greece to Cairo.

An official document presented by the European Union mission in Egypt stated that the two sides have raised their cooperation to the level of a “strategic and comprehensive partnership,” which paves the way for expanding cooperation frameworks between Egypt and the European Union in various economic and non-economic fields.

The European Union provides assistance to the Egyptian government to fortify its borders, especially with Libya, the main crossing point for migrants fleeing poverty and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.

The European Union also supports the Egyptian government in hosting the Sudanese who fled the fighting that has been ongoing for almost a year in their country between two rival generals.

For decades, Egypt has been a refuge for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa trying to escape war or poverty. For some, Egypt is a destination and a refuge, as it is the closest and easiest country they can reach. Egypt is also considered a transit point before trying to cross the Mediterranean in Risky trips to Europe.

The new aid package sparked criticism from international human rights organizations because of Egypt's human rights record, and Amnesty International condemned the agreement and urged European leaders not to collude with the human rights violations occurring in Egypt.

Eve Guidi, Director of Amnesty International's European Institutions Office, said: “European Union leaders must ensure that the Egyptian authorities adopt clear human rights standards,” referring to “the restrictions imposed by Egypt on the media and freedom of expression and the suppression of civil society,” as she described it.