● Al-Mashat discusses with the Executive Director of Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations of the European Commission and the Executive Director of Economic and Foreign Affairs the priorities of the next stage within the framework of bilateral cooperation and confirms the depth of Egyptian-European relations.
During H.E.'s participation in the Egypt - European Union 10th Association Council in Brussels, the Minister of International Cooperation, Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, held a bilateral meeting with Gert Jan Koopmann, Executive Director for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations at the European Commission, as well as a bilateral meeting with Elena Flores, Executive Director for Economic and Foreign Affairs, in light of the role assigned to the Ministry of International Cooperation, to strengthen economic relations with countries and regional and international organizations to support the state’s development efforts.
During the two meetings, Al-Mashat stressed the importance and depth of Egyptian-European strategic relations extending over decades, and the state’s keenness to develop these relations towards broader horizons in a way that meets development priorities, enhances joint efforts to confront economic challenges, and enhances climate action, in accordance with the government’s priorities.
Al-Mashat added that Egyptian-European relations are developing within a framework of integration and partnership that meets development requirements in accordance with national development priorities and determinants. H.E. noted that cooperation with the European Union is an example of constructive partnerships that extend over decades, which are based on integration, meeting national priorities, and responsiveness in times of crises, which became clear at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the launch of the 2021-2027 Country Partnership Framework. This works to advance green and sustainable development efforts, advance investment in human capital, and achieve economic flexibility and digital transformation, among the most prominent features of partnerships with the European Union. It is to drive the transition towards renewable energy by promoting green hydrogen investments.
Al-Mashat highlighted the ongoing cooperation with the European Union and the expansion of blended financing to support various sectors, including sustainable transport, water, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, renewable energy, social protection, governance, civil society, and capacity building.
Al-Mashat also discussed future cooperation pillars in light of the country’s development priorities, as well as the financing tools provided by the European Union, bilateral and regional cooperation programmes, as well as blended financing tools, as the two sides discuss deepening joint cooperation in the fields of green transformation, energy and water, and enhancing resilience, employing youth and skills, supporting digital transformation, and supporting the state’s priorities to implement the National Population Strategy.
It is worth noting that, during the activities of the Engagement Council between Egypt and the European Union, Al-Mashat presented a recent report entitled “A Shared Development Vision for Progress and Prosperity,” which included a presentation of Egyptian-European partnerships over a period of 4 years.
Al-Mashat explained that in confirmation of these relations, international partnerships with the Team Europe initiative, through development financing, amounted to about $12.8 billion for the government and private sectors over 4 years, with $7.3 billion for the government sector and $5.5 billion for the private sector, which resulted in attracting investments from European companies in priority sectors, adding that these funds were directed to priority sectors throughout the country, led by sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy and electricity, food security, health and education, sustainable transport, water and sanitation networks, and small and medium enterprises, environment, solid waste management, women’s empowerment, and other programs.
To Read the Ministry of International Cooperation’s report on the partnership with Team Europe: https://moic.gov.eg/page/egypt-team-europe