High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini (C) and Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry (L) and European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn (R) shake hands before the EU-Egypt Association Council meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels on July 25, 2017 (Photo: AFP)
Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and the EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced in Brussels on Tuesday the ratification of EU-Egypt partnership priorities for 2017-2020.
Shoukry is in Brussels to head the seventh meeting of the EU-Egypt Association Council, which last convened in 2010.
The EU-Egypt partnership for 2017-2012 priorities will focus on three main areas: a sustainable modern economy and social development in Egypt, partnership in foreign policy and enhancing stability.
Statements by the EU and the Egyptian foreign ministry said that the EU and Egypt will cooperate to advance the socio-economic goals set out in Egypt's "Sustainable development strategy-vision 2030."
Accordingly, Egypt and the EU will increase cooperation in trade, investment, social justice and climate action.
The EU and Egypt will also reinforce their cooperation on the bilateral, regional and international levels.
Egypt and the European body will also work to promote democracy, fundamental freedoms and human rights as constitutional rights of all citizens as stated in Egypt's constitution and international commitments.
Egypt and EU will also work together to fight terrorism and illegal immigration.
The Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement that the meeting with the EU officials was also an opportunity for Egypt to express its concern about the EU's "lack of objectivity" when criticising Egypt.
The foreign ministry condemned the European Union's "passive position in addressing the danger of terrorism and radicalism," which it says "amounts to turning a blind eye to countries and regional bodies that support terrorist organisations."
It also expressed alarm over the UN's "failure to take effective steps to prevent the spread of extremist ideas" through European satellite channels linked to terrorist groups.
Egypt also condemned the increase in Islamophobia in Europe.
Short link: