Egypt and France convened their first strategic dialogue in Cairo on Monday, marking a significant step in advancing bilateral relations elevated to a strategic partnership in 2025.
The talks were co-chaired by Egypt’s Deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Mohamed Abou Bakr, and Secretary-General of France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Martin Briens. Both sides welcomed the strong trajectory of relations and reviewed early progress under the partnership framework.
Discussions focused heavily on economic and financial cooperation, particularly the implementation of the 2026–2030 intergovernmental agreement. The two sides highlighted the 20-year presence of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Egypt, underscoring its role in supporting key development projects.
They also pointed to the outcomes of French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2025 visit to Egypt, during which nine financing agreements worth €262.2 million were signed to support transport, energy, and housing projects.
Egypt emphasized the growing importance of budget support programs in strengthening macroeconomic stability and praised France’s contribution to its Universal Health Insurance Program, including a €150 million loan and a €2 million grant.
Cooperation in green development was also highlighted, notably the €45 million Green Sustainable Industry project. In transport, both sides reaffirmed support for the planned Cairo Metro Line 6, building on a roadmap first agreed in 2021.
The two countries reviewed progress in migration talks aimed at reaching an agreement on returns and readmissions, alongside expanding legal mobility and vocational training opportunities. They expressed optimism about concluding negotiations in the coming weeks.
In the cultural sphere, Egypt and France agreed to develop a joint roadmap for cooperation in heritage and welcomed the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s library, supported by France.
Education and academic cooperation featured prominently, with both sides backing expanded partnerships between schools and universities, as well as new Francophone public schools in Egypt. They also stressed the importance of technical and vocational training in key sectors such as transport, agriculture, and tourism.
On global issues, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental challenges, while supporting international scientific bodies and multilateral cooperation.
France also reiterated its support for Egypt’s inclusion in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), highlighting the importance of coordination in global forums such as the G7, G20, and BRICS.
Regionally, discussions covered the Middle East, with both countries reaffirming support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue, as well as developments in Iran, Libya, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa.
They also called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The next round of the Egypt-France strategic dialogue is scheduled to take place in France in the first half of 2027.
