Partnership agreement between the EU and Egypt
20.3.2024
Question for written answer E-000869/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Pina Picierno (S&D), Pietro Bartolo (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Beatrice Covassi (S&D), Irene Tinagli (S&D)
On Sunday, 17 March 2024, the European Union concluded an aid agreement with Egypt with a view to reducing irregular migration to the European coast and strengthening the North African nation's economy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by a number of European leaders including Belgian Prime Minister De Croo and Italian Prime Minister Meloni, signed a EUR 7.4 billion agreement with Egyptian President Al-Sisi which also aimed to shore up border controls.
Given the current situation in the country, the deterioration in democracy and the rule of law, the repeated muzzling of human rights, freedom and fundamental rights, the attacks on human rights defenders, the abuses committed by the Egyptian police, the conditions in the country’s prisons and other places of detention, the repeated abuses against and forced refoulement of refugees and asylum seekers, in breach of various international conventions:
- 1.Does the Commission believe Egypt to be in compliance with the principles governing budget support from the EU?
- 2.What conditionality criteria apply to ascertain full respect for human rights and how does it assess Egypt's compliance with them?
- 3.Can it outline the measures planned to ensure the protection of the rights and safety of migrants and asylum seekers?
Submitted:20.3.2024