The European Parliament has approved a major financial aid package, granting Jordan €500 million and Egypt €4 billion in loans to address their worsening economic crises. This move underscores the European Union’s growing ambition, to assert itself as a key player in global politics. By providing substantial financial support, the EU strategically tries to reinforce its geopolitical influence in the Middle East and North Africa.

Von der Leyen has consistently positioned the EU as a proactive global actor, leveraging economic aid to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote stability. The loans to Jordan and Egypt—both critical partners in migration control and regional security—highlight the EU’s intent to shape international affairs through financial diplomacy. Rather than merely reacting to global crises, the EU, under von der Leyen, is actively shaping outcomes by offering alternatives to reliance on other global powers like China or the Gulf states.

This aid package exemplifies the EU’s “paying its way in” strategy—using economic leverage to secure political influence.

But. EU comes to this game very late and with the wrong tools.. USA have for decades paid a lot of money and have established a position of strengh to those countries. And most of the times, American aid packages were not loans!

EU is to week and without real leaders to establish it self as a global power. EU spend to much time as the “King’s fool” so it will always be seen as one…