The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called for closer relations between the EU and Egypt during a visit to Cairo on Sunday 18 June.
“The bilateral relations with Egypt are of strategic importance for the European Union. They have been growing, they have to continue [growing]”, he stressed at a press conference with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry.
“On the economy and trade, we stand ready to upgrade the already existing trade agreement - we are working closely with Egypt, enhancing bilateral trade and investment”, explained Mr Borrell. He expressed the view that some of the Global Gateway projects will be very important for the Egyptian economy. The High Representative said he was prepared to organise a conference between the EU and Egypt to stimulate European investment in the country.
Mr Shoukry stressed the importance of economic cooperation, hoping for more European investment in his country, pointing out that the EU is Egypt’s leading partner.
The High Representative and the Minister also stressed the importance of cooperation on energy issues, including renewable energies.
“We have confirmed that we will go deeper in a political dialogue on human rights”, Mr Borrell also announced.
In addition to bilateral relations, Mr Borrell and Mr Shoukry discussed the situation in Sudan - Egypt has taken in over 200,000 Sudanese refugees. The High Representative announced that the EU would provide immediate aid of €20 million to help the country cope with this “wave of refugees”. Mr Borrell also encouraged Egypt to continue its efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. “We appreciate your work. Firstly, we recognise that you are such an important stakeholder that nothing can be solved without you, and secondly, we encourage you to continue working on this very difficult issue”, he added.
The situations in the Near East, Libya, Syria, the Horn of Africa and the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam were also discussed, as was Russian aggression in Ukraine - the Egyptian minister had just returned from a visit to Kyiv and Moscow.
The High Representative and the Minister also discussed migration. “We need to work together, as we do with Egypt, with countries of origin, transit and destination in order to avoid this drama [the tragedy that occurred last week, when several hundred migrants reportedly perished at sea - editor’s note] from happening again”, emphasised M. Borrell, while also calling for swift and decisive action against smugglers and traffickers.
The High Representative pointed out that the EU was allocating around €80 million to Egypt for border management, search and rescue and anti-smuggling operations. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)