File photo of Oliver Varhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (Reuters)
The Egyptian ministers of foreign affairs, planning and international cooperation have called for starting a new stage of cooperation with the European Union for the next six years on the basis of “true partnership” a statement by the foreign ministry read.
This came as the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Planning Hala El-Saeed and Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat met via a video conference on Monday with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi.
According to the statement, the meeting aimed at “setting priorities of cooperation” between the two sides. During the meeting, Egypt affirmed that this partnership is capable of ending pending issues that may obstruct developmental cooperation between Egypt and the EU.
This comes a month after Egypt’s Al-Mashat and Ambassador of the EU in Cairo Christian Berger had agreed to renew the framework of joint cooperation between Egypt and the EU, to extend their long relationship that began in 1977.
The Egyptian side, during Monday’s meeting, expressed Egypt’s keenness to develop cooperation in various fields of mutual concern.
These fields include agriculture and irrigation, improving investment, comprehensive economic development, ending poverty, renewable energy and green economy as well as supporting the digital economy, telecommunications sector and the health sector.
Varhelyi expressed the European Commission’s aspirations to cooperate with Egypt within the framework of the new neighbourhood, development and international cooperation tool, and in light of Egypt’s role in the region as a pillar for regional stability, security and development.
Varhelyi also hailed Egypt’s economic reform program, which he says helped the country to successfully deal with the negative implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
Egypt has been linked with the European Union via the Single Support Framework (SSF) between 2017 and 2020, the International Cooperation Ministry said in mid-September.
Between 432 to 528 million euros were allocated for the 2017-2020 stage to support sectors of sustainable energy, environment, social protection, governance and capacity building, in addition to enhancing stability and supporting civil society, the ministry added.
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