● Al-Mashat: Congratulates Poland on its upcoming Presidency of the European Union in 2025.
● Egyptian-European economic relations witness unprecedented momentum in 2024.
● Focus on leveraging shared assets to enhance trade and investment relations.
● Aiming to elevate the economic partnership to meet both nations’ aspirations and align with current developments.
● The Egyptian government is committed to supporting the private sector’s role in driving growth and employment.
● Joint committees serve as vital mechanisms for fostering partnerships between Egypt and development partners.
● Deepening cooperation in key areas, including food and water security, energy, and trade.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held in-depth discussions with Mr. Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Economic Development and Technology of Poland, to explore new avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation. The talks were part of the first session of the Egyptian-Polish Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, held in Warsaw—the first session of its kind in 30 years. This followed the signing of the economic cooperation agreement during the Polish President's visit to Egypt in 2022.
At the start of the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat congratulated the Polish government on its forthcoming presidency of the European Union Council in January 2025 and emphasized the historic ties between Egypt and Poland. She highlighted the strong political and economic relations between the two countries, reinforced by ongoing cooperation. which reflects the strength of the bilateral relationship.
Dr. Al-Mashat expressed Egypt's eagerness to enhance cooperation with the European Union during Poland's presidency in various fields and pointed to the remarkable progress in Egyptian-European relations throughout 2024.
The Minister emphasized that the first session (in 30 years) of the Joint Committee reflects both nations' commitment to advancing their relationship in line with regional and international developments, which aligns with Egypt's sustainable development goals. This is also in line with the economic cooperation agreement signed in 2022 during the meeting between H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and H.E. President Andrzej Duda. The new cooperation agreement, signed in 2022, replaced the 1964 agreement and builds on the 12 previous committee sessions, the last of which took place in Cairo in 1993.
During the discussions, the two sides reviewed multiple sectors for enhanced cooperation, including telecommunications, steel production, energy, space technology, higher education, and housing, all of which are outlined in the Joint Committee protocol. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that joint committees are critical for exploring areas of mutual interest and strengthening partnerships with development partners.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat noted that joint committees are an effective mechanism for exploring points of convergence and fostering partnerships between Egypt and its development partners. H.E. added that the protocol of the first session of the Joint Committee provides a solid foundation for broader relations between the two countries, particularly through private sector involvement.
Highlighting opportunities for growth, Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the shared assets that could bolster trade and investment between Egypt and Poland. In 2023, trade volume between the two nations reached approximately $760 million, with 163 Polish companies actively investing in Egypt. Additionally, 474,000 Polish tourists visited Egypt in 2024, reflecting the strength of cultural ties.
Moreover, Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated Egypt’s prioritization of food, water, and energy security, signaling these as key areas for future cooperation with Poland. She further stressed that Egypt’s government remains committed to supporting the private sector through comprehensive economic and structural reforms, aiming to foster sustainable growth and employment.
The meeting was attended by; Mr. Michał Murkocinski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Egypt; Magdalena Skarżynska, and Andrzej Dycha, Chairman of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency; Mr. Marek Kłoczko, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Rafał Zelazny, President of the Katowice Special Economic Zone; Representatives from the Polish Ministries of Economic Development and Foreign Affairs. And from the Egyptian side; Mr. Ahmed Al-Ansari, Ambassador of Egypt to Poland; Waleid Gamal El-Dein, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority; Ambassador Yasser Hashem, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Northern and Central Europe; Mr. Basem Farouk, Minister Plenipotentiary, Head of the Trade Office at the Egyptian Embassy; and Representatives from the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation.