The first session of the Egyptian-Italian Joint Higher Committee was held on Thursday at the Foreign Ministry headqaurters in the New Administrative Capital. The session was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Egyptians Abroad Badr Abdel-Aaty and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Antonio Tajani.
The meeting underscored the growing momentum in bilateral relations, supported by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and explored ways to translate this momentum into expanded political, economic and investment co-operation.
Minister Abdel-Aaty highlighted the steady growth in bilateral trade and Egypt’s ambition to attract greater Italian investment, capitalising on its position as a logistics and commercial hub and gateway to African markets.
Minister Tajani, meanwhile, stressed the strong interest of Italian companies in Egypt and the potential for expanding partnerships across a range of sectors.
For his part, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid called for the reactivation of the Egyptian-Italian Business Council and closer direct engagement between the two countries’ business communities.
He also emphasised the need to convert investment and trade opportunities into tangible projects, expand exports, exchange expertise and explore cooperation between Egyptian and Italian investment funds.
Meanwhile, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat stressed the importance of advancing the electricity interconnection project and strengthening co-operation on energy and the green transition.
Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi highlighted opportunities to deepen co-operation in social protection, economic empowerment and social development, while Minister of Labour Hassan Raddad noted progress towards finalising a memorandum of understanding on facilitating the entry and employment of Egyptian workers in Italy, alongside enhanced vocational, linguistic and cultural training.
Discussions also addressed Egypt’s water security, with Italy reaffirming its commitment to international law and opposition to unilateral actions concerning the Nile Basin.
The ministers exchanged views on regional developments, including Palestine, Iran, Libya, Sudan and the Horn of Africa, reaffirming the importance of continued coordination to promote regional stability and safeguard shared interests.
