President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed the challenges facing Egypt due to the war in Ukraine with EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi yesterday, according to an Ittihadiya statement. The EU-Egypt partnership is “key for the stability and security of Europe & Middle East-North Africa region,” Várhelyi wrote on social media following the meeting. The “EU needs long-term and reliable energy partners like Egypt.” The two sides also discussed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis, which El Sisi described as an “existential issue” for Egypt. Várhelyi also discussed the food crisis and energy cooperation with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the Foreign Ministry said.