EU Parliament approves four billion loan for Egypt. Greens: “Commission throws away democracy and human rights”

From the correspondent in Strasbourg – When the going gets tough, partners must be kept close, even when they do not promote the rule of law. This seems to be the rationale behind the approval, by the European Parliament meeting in plenary session, of the two proposals for macro-financial assistance (MFA) for Jordan and Egypt put forward by the European Commission.

This afternoon (April 1), MEPs voted to support EU aid. With 571 votes in favour, 59 against and 46 abstentions, the fourth MPA for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was approved: the country will receive €500 million in the form of concessional loans to cover residual financial needs, support structural reforms and secure its financial consolidation efforts. Back in January, the Commission had announced an additional financial package to support Jordan’s challenges, and again, the loans were tied to an important condition, namely respect for effective democratic mechanisms, the achievement of a multi-party parliamentary system, support for the rule of law, and ensuring respect for human rights.

No trace of conditionality for the €4 billion loan approved by a large majority (452 votes in favour, 182 against, 40 abstentions) for Egypt, which will be disbursed in three tranches. During the vote, an alliance between the Conservatives and Reformists, the European People’s Party and Patriots for Europe groups led to the rejection of amendments by the Greens aimed at tying aid to Egypt’s progress on human rights and democratic standards. Protests from the Greens were not long in coming: “It is clear that the Commission is preparing the ground for a sketchy agreement with Egypt on migration, including in relation to the dramatic situation in Gaza,” criticized French Mounir Satouri in a statement, denouncing the deletion of the initial draft and recalling how “the Egyptian authorities regularly attack journalists, civil society, and citizens’ rights.”

The EU and the Egyptian authorities had signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in March 2024, which provided for €5 billion in European economic aid, including a short-term loan of €1 billion paid to Cairo at the end of 2024. Although the memorandum included several objectives, such as cooperation in the energy sector, political dialogue, and investment in trade, the migration countering component was well highlighted, especially given the similar agreements made with Tunisia and Mauritania during the same period.

“Helping our partners means furthering European interests in an unstable area; this vote underscores Parliament’s support,” said Céline Imart (EPP, France), Parliament’s rapporteur. “The money earmarked for Jordan will be disbursed without delay, while we will go with a strong mandate to the trilogue on Egypt to conclude quickly there as well,” she added. The negotiations between Parliament and Council for the MFA package for Egypt are expected “shortly.”