Brussels, 20/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - In its 20 October edition, Al-Ahram Hebdo published an open letter from European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Stefan Füle, who was in Cairo just over a week ago. “Egypt is a key partner” of the EU “because of its history, its geographical location, its political and economic weight and its constructive international commitments" (our translation throughout). This country also “represents an important partner for the EU in the context of the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa”, the commissioner said.
In his article, Füle states that “the association agreement, which was signed in 2001, paved the way for an intensification of political dialogue, for the liberalisation of trade and for economic and cultural cooperation”. Accordingly, “the volume of trade has increased significantly and Egyptian companies have managed to enter the broad single European market”. In 2007, the two sides “agreed on a joint action plan in the framework of the European neighbourhood policy”.
He goes on to write that “going beyond the commitments made under this plan will provide us with a solid basis further to develop our relations in the coming years”, with the support of an envelope of €449 million to “help [Egypt] to improve the competitiveness of its economy, to consolidate human rights and good governance and to support the continuity of the development process”.
On the subject of the neighbourhood policy, beyond the case of Egypt, the commissioner announced that a “revision” was underway, “through a consultation process which involves senior officials, experts and representatives of civil society. I am counting on the knowledge and imagination of all those taking part in this process to ensure that all elements of our future European neighbourhood strategy are beneficial to Europe and its neighbours”. (F.B./transl.fl)