Spain eyeing closer ties, co-operation

Both countries also enjoy distinguished economic and trade relations, being strategic gateways to Africa and Europe.

Spain is a gateway to Europe by virtue of its geographical location and its weight in the continent, while Egypt is the main gateway to Africa for Europeans.

Spanish Ambassador to Egypt, Ramón Gil-Casares, spoke to the Egyptian Mail about joint co-operation in diverse areas. He also highlighted some issues of mutual interest.

Illegal immigration, terrorism

As an issue, illegal immigration is now on top of governments’ agendas.

Ambassador Gil-Casares said his country is committed to eradicating illegal immigration, considering it the root cause of abuse and the trafficking in persons.

“We take our Mediterranean location, including of being one of the external borders of the European Union, very seriously,” the ambassador said.

Illegal immigration is a major concern in Spain. From January to September 2021, around 24,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the country, according to the Spanish Ministry of Home Affairs.

This is 53.5 per cent more immigrants than Spain had received in the corresponding period last year, the ministry added.

Spain has 5.8 million foreign residents already. This is a huge burden in a country whose population was 47.35 million in 2020.

Ambassador Gil-Casares commended the ‘decisive action’ Egyptian authorities are taking to control illegal immigration and eradicate human trafficking.

Egypt is one of several North African countries participating in the EU Trust Fund for Stability and Migration in Africa.

Spain implements a project for capacity building and institutional support in the management of immigration in Egypt within the framework of the fund.

Both Egypt and Spain, the ambassador said, have suffered from terrorism and they are equally committed to the fight against it.

“Both countries understand that this has to be done within the framework of the law and full respect for human rights,” Ambassador Gil-Casares said. “Undoubtedly, this comes on top of our bilateral agenda.”

He said Spain considers Egypt a ‘trustworthy partner’ in this common endeavour.

“We hope we can increase our fruitful co-operation in this area,” the ambassador said.

He noted that Egypt and Spain work on formulating several drafts on judicial co-operation.

GERD negotiations

Ambassador Gil-Casares said his country shares the position stipulated by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in July this year about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Mr Borrell warned against unilateral actions by any of the parties involved in the dispute over the dam.

Unilateral actions, he said, would not help in finding a negotiated solution to the problem. He also called for a clear and commonly agreed roadmap that establishes a timetable and specific objectives for negotiations between these parties as soon as possible.

“The recent declaration by the presidency of the UN Security Council confirms this position,” Ambassador Gil-Casares said.

“Spain is fully aware this is an issue of vital importance to Egypt,” he added.

He noted that his country believes that the only solution to the problem would be for all parties to reach a mutually accepted agreement.

This agreement, he said, would open the door wide for the economic and social development of River Nile riparian states.

Remarkable progress

Trade between Egypt and Spain increased significantly in the past few years.

Nonetheless, Ambassador Gil-Casares sees more room for improvement.

He said in 2020, Spanish exports to Egypt reached 1.4 billion Euros, whereas Egyptian exports to Spain reached 678 million Euros. The ambassador added that Spanish companies investing in Egypt operate in areas, such as infrastructures, water management, transportation and renewable energies.

“We are committed to increasing our economic relations because we believe we have a high degree of expertise in areas that are strategic to both Egypt and Spain,” the ambassador said.

Archaeological missions

Ambassador Gil-Casares said 11 Spanish archaeological missions work in Egypt at present.

He described this as a ‘great opportunity’ for Spanish scientists.

He said the Spanish archeological missions work across Egypt, especially in Aswan, Luxor, and Saqqara.

“Last year, even during the pandemic, our scientists kept coming regularly,” the ambassador said.

“Spanish Egyptologists are also very good in museum management,” he added.

Last month, Sevillian Egyptologist, Dr Myriam Seco, co-directed a workshop with Egyptian Dr Hisham Eleithy and others at the Museum of Egyptian Civilisation in Cairo.

“We are very proud of this fruitful co-operation,” Ambassador Gil-Casares.

Additional boost to tourism

Spain and Egypt are both prominent tourist destinations that, according to Ambassador Gil-Casares, attract tourists naturally.

“Spanish tourists are fascinated by Egypt’s history and cultural riches,” the ambassador said.

He added that his embassy had launched some initiatives with the local tourism sector, including a seminar on tourism and Egyptology.

He noted that Egypt is always represented in the International Fair on Tourism (FITUR), one of the most important tourist events on the international tourist stage.

“Covid19 has caused tremendous damage to the tourism sector,” Ambassador Gil-Casares said.

“However, we believe we can rebuild the sector in a greener and a smarter way,” he added.