Egypt-EU cooperation in water sector ‘very important’

CAIRO – The Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Egypt, Ambassador Christian Berger, stressed the importance of cooperation between Egypt and the EU in the water sector.

In exclusive statements to MENA on Friday, amb. Berger lauded ties between Egypt and the EU in all fields, noting that the current period is witnessing an expansion of cooperation and partnership between the two sides.

The European Union is fully aware of the challenges facing Egypt in the water sector, he said, adding the two sides agreed on a new comprehensive program package, including the water sector.

The EU contributes to funding of a number of projects in Egypt to help face water-related issues, he further noted.

The EU ambassador said the EU gave a prime focus on promoting cooperation in the water and irrigation sector, which receives a great deal of attention from Egypt.

He said that he accompanied by a number of ambassadors of EU member states accredited to Egypt and a number of diplomats started on Wednesday a two-day visit to several water and sanitation projects funded by the EU in Alexandria and Kafr El Sheikh governorates.

In Alexandria, they toured the Alexandria West Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) and had a meeting with Alexandria Governor Mohamed el-Sherif. The cost of implementing the project to expand and upgrade the Alexandria WWTP is estimated at 184.75 million euros, including a long-term loan granted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and an investment grant amounting to 20 million euros provided by the EU, in addition to Egyptian investments.

In Kafr El Sheikh, the EU ambassador inspected the Wastewater Expansion for Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate Project at Motobas and the Nile Delta Coastal Protection Project. The Kafr el-Sheikh Wastewater Expansion program (KESWE) involves the construction of two new Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs), the expansion of three existing WWTPs and the laying of 697 km of sewers with the installation of 52 pump stations in Kafr el-Sheikh governorate.

He also met with Kafr el-Sheikh Governor Gamal Nourelddin and discussed several important issues and joint projects.

He described as “magnificent” the Greek-Roman Museum in Alexandria city and the Kafr El Sheikh Museum, a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian artifacts and culture.