The European Commission is currently conducting a study to assess the state of scientific freedom in Egypt, with a view to the signing of the Association Agreement with the country, scheduled for the end of the year, said Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, in a written reply on Thursday 21 August.
In April, the Commission and the Arab Republic of Egypt concluded negotiations on Egypt’s association with the EU’s research and innovation (R&I) funding programme, ‘Horizon Europe’ (see EUROPE 13620/10).
However, in May, Christian Ehler MEP (EPP, German) voiced his concern about the EU funds Egypt would receive, the provision of which is conditional on compliance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The Commission assures that it is working on an appropriate legislative response, that it will closely monitor the situation and engage in regular dialogue with the Egyptian authorities. “Through these actions, we want to ensure that researchers can conduct their work freely and without undue interference”, said the Commissioner.
Link to the Commission’s response: https://aeur.eu/f/i5y (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)