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Von der Leyen with Egyptian President al-Sissi (last December)

Photo: The Egyptian Presidency / REUTERS

On Sunday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to sign a partnership agreement with Egypt in Cairo.

It amounts to 7.4 billion euros, as the news agencies dpa and AP unanimously report, citing the commission.

The money will flow through loans and grants and is part of a new strategic partnership.

According to the information, 5 billion euros are earmarked for loans and 1.8 billion euros for investments.

600 million euros are to be paid as grants, of which 200 million are for migration management.

The EU wants to work with Egypt in the energy sector, particularly in liquid gas, "in order to move further away from Russian gas," explained a representative of the EU Commission.

Cooperation in the area of ​​combating terrorism and border protection is also planned.

The models for the agreement are the EU migration agreements with Turkey and most recently with Tunisia and Mauritania.

In return for EU aid, Egypt should curb irregular migration towards Europe.

Criticism from human rights activists

The EU fears that the poor economic situation in Egypt as well as conflict and chaos in neighboring countries could drive more people to European shores.

The EU wants to financially support the Egyptian government in border protection, especially with Libya, an important transit country for migrants.

Amnesty International condemned the agreement and called on European leaders not to take part in human rights abuses in Egypt.

The human rights organization Human Rights Watch told the Guardian that the expected agreement would "reward Egypt's autocratic leader for preventing migrants from leaving for Europe."

The president suppressed the opposition, the media and civil society and imprisoned critics.

Meanwhile, EU diplomats emphasize that migration is just one of many aspects of cooperation.

Accordingly, it is particularly important to prevent Russia and China from gaining even greater influence in Egypt.

For example, Russia is currently building nuclear reactors in the North African country and Beijing is also trying to strengthen its influence with billions in investments.

jpz/AFP/Reuters/dpa/AP