Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, announced that Egypt now has access to the Horizon Europe programme, allowing them to apply for funding based on merit. The programme, with a budget of €93.5 billion, supports research and innovation. Additionally, von der Leyen announced €5 billion in loans to Egypt as part of a larger financial package, aimed at supporting economic stability and development. However, concerns were raised by MEPs regarding Egypt's human rights record and the EU's effectiveness in promoting democracy in the country.