The "Egyptian-European" summit, which began on Sunday, March 17, 2024, focused on gas and hydrogen, as they are the optimal and most suitable fuel for the current global conditions, in addition to the energy transformation efforts by most countries of the African continent.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister of Belgium and the President of the European Union, Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer, the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and the Prime Minister of Italy. Georgia Meloni.

Presidency spokesman, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, stated that President Sisi held several separate and bilateral meetings with the guests of the Egyptian-European summit. He welcomed raising the levels of relations between Egypt and European Union countries to reach the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnership.

Egypt's goal with this step is to increase the level of cooperation with the European Union, which confirms Egypt's vital and effective role in enriching Middle East relations, and this reflects the historical relations that link the Egyptian side with the Middle East, especially in the field of gas.

Most of the economic and investment aspects of cooperation between the two sides were discussed, in addition to how to formulate specific steps, which ensures the best use of the relative advantages of both parties. The meetings took place in the field of energy, specifically in the production of natural gas, especially between Cyprus and Egypt in the field of natural gas, in addition to benefiting from opportunities. Available provided and supported by Egypt in the fields of clean energy and green hydrogen.

The meetings also discussed cooperation in the field of industry localization, technology transfer, and training, in addition to a number of existing cooperation projects that are being studied by Greece, Austria, and Belgium. The summit discussed aspects of joint cooperation between Egypt and Italy in the sectors of food security, agricultural production, and land reclamation. It was agreed to establish a partnership between Egypt and Italy within the framework of major national projects. Italian technology is transferred to Egypt to maximize returns and increase Egyptian food and agricultural exports to Europe.

The summit also addressed the regional situation, especially in Gaza. During the discussions, the Egyptian President stressed the need for the international community to push for an immediate ceasefire, in addition to introducing aid in sufficient quantities to the Strip in order to protect it.

The President of the European Commission expressed her happiness at being in Cairo, especially with the partnership between Egypt, the European Union, and Egypt, especially with Egypt’s weight on the economic and political levels, in addition to its strategic location in a very turbulent region.

Egyptian liquefied gas exports declined during the current year 2024 to Europe and some other countries in Asia, due to global risks and trade restrictions in the Red Sea with the continuing situation in Gaza, and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East that led tankers to avoid the Suez Canal route. It cast a shadow on the Egyptian local market, especially with the shortage of gas available in Israel, which led to a decline in exports of liquefied gas and petrochemical products.

Egypt's exports of liquefied gas decreased by more than 79% until mid-March compared to the same period in 2023, and the decline recorded 278 thousand tons since January compared to 1.351 million tons during the year 2023, and Egyptian gas exports are still low, as they recorded 67 during the month of March. One thousand tons, compared to 259 thousand tons in 2023.