CAIRO – Former Assistant Foreign Minister Amr Ramadan stated that the Egyptian-European summit hosted by Cairo Sunday sends a message about Egypt’s central role as a cornerstone of security and stability in the Middle East region, and highlights the strategic importance of Cairo for the European Union.
Interviewed by MENA on Monday, Ramadan said that the visit of the European delegation to Cairo underscored the growing strategic partnership between the two sides aimed at achieving common interests. He pointed out that Egypt and the European Union are parties to numerous economic agreements, reminding that the EU is one of Egypt’s most important trading partners.
He added that the Egyptian-European summit also reflected the great stature enjoyed by Cairo among European countries, as Egypt is the only country in the region chosen by the European Union to elevate relations to the level of “strategic and comprehensive” relations.
He continued that the issue of enhancing and strengthening European relations with Egypt demonstrated the European Union’s confidence in the Egyptian economy, its strength, and its status, as the economic file is of great importance within the framework of the Egyptian-European strategic co-operation.
He noted that the European Union views Egypt as a strategic partner in the field of energy, especially in light of Cairo’s pivotal role in the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, in addition to current efforts to maximise Egypt’s role as a regional hub for green energy.
He emphasized that the Egyptian-European summit held great significance and implications in the current regional context of the Middle East, as both sides are seeking to enhance common interests and confront threats and challenges in the region. He believes the summit was a great opportunity to enhance cooperation in the face of the current regional unrest.
He explained that the summit would contribute to advancing bilateral relations and developing the partnership between Egypt and the European Union and its member states in various fields, including political relations, counterterrorism, economic co-operation, as well as the files of energy, industry, technology, education, and migration.
Ramadan further stated: “Egypt’s entry into a strategic partnership with the European Union means that Egypt could likely attract billions of dollars in investment from the bloc’s countries. This is not only limited to grants or assistance, but investments are expected to flow into promising sectors such as green hydrogen and renewable energy.”
He stressed that Egypt provides investment prerequisites that Europe is particularly keen on, especially in the new and renewable energy sector, in addition to the relative advantage of the country and its ability to produce hydrogen. The European Union has a greater interest in this type of investment, Ramadan noted.
He highlighted that the summit was held at a time the region is experiencing big tension, especially with the Israeli aggression in Gaza and the unrest in the Red Sea region. He noted Egypt’s success in reaching agreements with European leaders regarding regional developments, whether concerning the Palestinian cause or the situation in the Middle East.
During the summit, Egypt pinpointed efforts exerted by the government with the aim of solving the crisis in the Gaza Strip, while emphasizing the importance of dealing with the Palestinian cause from a comprehensive and integrated perspective that would ensure the rights of the Palestinians to establish their independent state on the pre-1967 borders, with its East Jerusalem as its capital.
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