Ambassador Christian Berger presented his credentials to Egypt President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday as the new head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Egypt, the EU Delegation said in a statement.

“I am honoured to serve as the EU Ambassador to Egypt, and offer my heartfelt greetings and deep respect to the people of Egypt. The EU and Egypt are close partners and enjoy a long-standing friendship and strong relations in many fields. The EU is Egypt's largest trading partner and the number one foreign direct investor. We also work together on global issues facing the EU and Egypt, like the ongoing pandemic,” Ambassador Berger said.

“I look forward to working closely with our Egyptian partners in the government, civil society, the business community and many other stakeholders. With our partners and friends in the League of Arab States we will further deepen our co-operation in the face of common strategic challenges,” he added.

Christian Berger served as ambassador and head of the EU Delegation to Turkey from 2016 to 2020, as well as ambassador to Turkmenistan.

From 2011 to 2016, he was the Director/Deputy Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European External Action Service in Brussels, and from 2008 to 2011 the EU Representative/head of delegation in Jerusalem.

From 2006 to 2008, he was head of the European Commission Crisis Response & Peace-building Unit, and from 2005 to 2006 the EU-Representative to the Quartet Special Envoy (James Wolfensohn), working mainly on the Rafah Agreement (Egypt-Gaza border crossing).

Christian Berger is an Austrian citizen. He is married with two children and holds degrees in law from the universities of Vienna and London.