EU Commissioner Brunner Visits Egypt to Strengthen Security and Migration Cooperation

EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner visited Egypt on November 12, 2026, to strengthen cooperation on security and migration. The visit highlights the importance of the EU-Egypt partnership in addressing transnational threats and enhancing operational coordination. During his visit, Commissioner Brunner met with Egyptian officials to discuss cooperation on migration management and related security issues.

Commissioner Brunner met with Mahmoud Tawfik, Egypt's Minister of Interior, to discuss cooperation on migration management, countering migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and other security issues. The Commissioner also witnessed the signature of a new working arrangement between the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) and the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. This arrangement aims to enhance cooperation on law enforcement training and tackle transnational security threats.

Commissioner Brunner also met with Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss cooperation in the area of migration. Egypt is a key partner for the EU on migration and security issues, particularly in the framework of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling. The EU and Egypt have been working together to address migration challenges, including the 'Eastern Corridor' initiative, which aims to address migration challenges along the route from South Asia to North Africa.

The strong cooperation with Egypt builds on the 2024 Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership and was reaffirmed at the first EU-Egypt Leaders' Summit in October 2025. Commissioner Brunner emphasized that Egypt is a key strategic partner for the European Union in ensuring regional stability and managing migration responsibly. He highlighted the importance of deepening operational cooperation to tackle transnational security threats.

Commissioner Brunner stated that by deepening operational cooperation, the EU and Egypt can deliver on their Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership to make both Europe and the neighborhood safer. He added that tackling illegal migration requires strong partnerships along the entire route to save lives and break the business model of smugglers. The EU and Egypt are working together to address shared challenges at their root while enhancing border security.

The new working arrangement with CEPOL marks another concrete step in joining forces with Egypt to dismantle smuggling rings, disrupt trafficking routes, and strengthen security across the Mediterranean. The EU and Egypt are committed to enhancing cooperation on security and migration issues, and Commissioner Brunner's visit has reaffirmed the strong partnership between the two.

The visit by Commissioner Brunner demonstrates the EU's commitment to working with Egypt to address transnational security threats and migration challenges. The EU and Egypt will continue to work together to enhance cooperation on security and migration issues, with a focus on tackling smuggling and trafficking networks and strengthening border security. Key cooperation areas include migration management, countering migrant smuggling, and human trafficking.

Key points

• The EU and Egypt have strengthened cooperation on security and migration issues through a new working arrangement between CEPOL and the Egyptian Ministry of Interior.
• Commissioner Brunner emphasized the importance of deepening operational cooperation to tackle transnational security threats and manage migration responsibly.
• The EU and Egypt have reaffirmed their strong partnership on security and migration issues, building on the 2024 Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership.