The move has been criticized in particular by those on the left who claim the EU is ignoring human rights violations and the autocratic tendencies of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
The European Union has announced a €7.4 billion funding package for Egypt in an attempt to enhance cooperation with the Arab nation and encourage further measures to stem illegal immigration flowing into Europe.
Six European leaders met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday to sign declarations covering commitments to agriculture, financial support for small and medium-sized businesses, infrastructure development, and health.
The package comprises €5 billion in preferential loans, €1.8 billion in investment deals, and a further €600 million in grants to be used in part to tackle migration over the next four years.
“This is the best way to address migratory flows,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who accompanied European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Cairo alongside her Greek, Austrian, and Belgian counterparts and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.