Despite geopolitical changes, co-operation between Egypt and the European Union (EU) witnessed remarkable progress in all domains in the past years.
In this interview with the Egyptian Mail, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, Ambassador Christian Berger, highlights key milestones in this co-operation.
The Partnership Priorities Agreement was signed by the two sides in June of this year.
The EU, Ambassador Berger said, also signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding with Egypt and Israel for the export of natural gas to Europe.
In April 2022, an initiative was launched for a regional food and resilience facility worth €225 million to address the short and medium-term needs of the Southern Neighbourhood partners. With €100 million, Egypt is the biggest beneficiary of the facility which aims to contribute to addressing the consequences of rising food and commodity prices in the region.
At COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, the EU and Egypt took a further step to boost their long-term co-operation on the clean energy transition by establishing a strategic partnership on renewable hydrogen and preparing the ground for a just energy transition in Egypt.
They also signed a joint statement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Egyptian Minister of International Co-operation, Rania al-Mashat announced the EU’s contribution of up to €35 million in support for Egypt’s Energy Wealth Initiative.
In November 2022, during COP27, the Ministry of International Co-operation, the Ministry of Environment and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a statement concerning a credit amount of €100 million to implement the Green Sustainable Industries programme. The EU guarantees this EIB-funded project and will contribute directly to the project with a grant component of €30 million.
The programme will support the industry to improve its environmental footprint, mainly focusing on pollution abatement, resource efficiency and the use of renewable energies.
The EU also committed to €30 million to support the development of the poorest villages of Upper Egypt, within the Decent Life presidential initiative.
At the level of trade, Ambassador Berger clarified, Egyptian exports to the EU during the first half of 2022 amounted to €8 billion, compared to €4 billion only in the corresponding half of last year.
“This is about 100% growth,” the ambassador said.
He noted that the EU remains the biggest importer of Egyptian products, receiving almost 30% of Egypt’s exports.
Ambassador Berger also referred to what he described as ‘great interest’ in establishing a joint business forum.
He said he discussed the matter with Minister of Trade and Industry, Ahmed Samir, recently.
“There is progress in improving legal environment to attract more investments [to Egypt],” Ambassador Berger said. “It is important to have this forum to listen to the investors and know what they want to see.”
The EU maintains its support to urban development in Egypt via its Integrated and Sustainable Housing and Community Development Programme.
It has upgraded infrastructures and basic services in disadvantaged urban areas in seven governorates, namely Cairo, Giza, Sharqiya, Menufiya, Assyut, Alexandria and Port Said.
Ambassador Berger said the Upgrading Informal Areas Infrastructures/ Participatory Infrastructure Project had directly upgraded infrastructure and basic services through works, equipment provision and staff capacity building at health centres, schools, youth centres, wastewater networks, streets, one public space and one fish market in nine disadvantaged informal areas in the Greater Cairo Region.
This, the ambassador added, contributed to improving the living conditions of 2 million residents.
“The total amount of the programme is €33 million,” the ambassador said.
He added that the EU contributed €25.5 million to the programme which is implemented by the main German development agency, GIZ.
The EU also contributed €27 million to support the National Population Strategy and family planning programmes and improve access to reproductive rights.
Ambassador Berger said digital transformation is also a promising area for co-operation between Egypt and the EU.
The EU, he added, developed strong ties with the Egyptian Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and affiliated agencies, such as the Information Technology Industrial Development Agency.
He referred to the Team Europe Initiative on Connected Economy and Society in Egypt.
“The EU funds a €7 million project that is implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Local Development,” the ambassador said.
In 2022, the EU continued to sustain dialogue with the Egyptian civil society, engaging in strategic partnerships with 18 civil society organisations.
Ambassador Berger noted that the current total migration portfolio amounts to €111 million, covering 34 projects.
Vocational training has also been an integral part of joint co-operation between Egypt and the EU.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of International Co-operation and the EU Delegation to Egypt, Phase II of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Reform Programme has recently organised its closing ceremony after nine years of efforts and outstanding results.
“Egypt and the EU co-funded the programme with €117 million,” Ambassador Berger said.
He added that the programme is a result of combined co-operation among the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The programme, he said, proved to be a key development project that contributed to the improvement of the technical and vocational education and training reform
sector in Egypt, given the economic prominence of this sector.
“The main aim of the programme is to improve and alleviate the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable people in different governorates through collaboration with concerned ministries and governmental entities,” the ambassador said.
Egyptian Minister of International Co-operation, Rania al-Mashat, described the programme as a reflection co-operation between Egypt and the EU.
“This co-operation has been going on for years with remarkable success at all levels,” the minister said.
She also added that her ministry would always support development projects that target vulnerable citizens.
“Rhanks to the support from the EU to the programme, it managed to achieve its objectives, namely by responding to the aspirations of Egyptians and the government’ development plans that aim to achieve tangible outputs that can be felt by the members of the public,” the minister said.
Ambassador Berger said technical and vocational education is a strategic sector with challenging tasks.
“By nature, it brings together multiple stakeholders with a strong commitment from the government, federations and the private sector to make the system better equipped to respond to market needs and youth aspirations,” the head of the EU delegation to Egypt said.
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