On Thursday 8 January, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, called for closer relations between the EU and Egypt.
“We stressed the crucial importance of consolidating the momentum observed in these relations, particularly following the Euro-Egyptian Summit held in Brussels on 22 October (see EUROPE 13736/7). The results of this summit have set the course for relations between our two countries in the years to come”, said Mr Abdelatty, at a press conference in Cairo. And Ms Kallas added that: “Egypt is an indispensable partner to the European Union. (...) Our relationship is already strong, but we are working on making it even stronger”.
The High Representative announced that the first EU-Egypt dialogue on security and defence would be held in Cairo in March. “This will be the opportunity to discuss what more can we do together (...) for example, regarding maritime issues – the Red Sea - but also cyber security and counter terrorism”, she explained.
For his part, Minister Abdelatty, stressed the need to remove all obstacles to the export of Egyptian products to European markets and the “vital importance” of accelerating the activation of the Euro-Egyptian investment platform, launched in June, by broadening the sectors benefiting.
Badr Abdelatty also called for bilateral cooperation to be stepped up in the fight against illegal immigration. He expressed Egypt’s hope that Europe would continue to support his country in becoming a regional platform for humanitarian aid in crisis zones.
The High Representative and the Minister discussed the situation in the Middle East, considering that the EU and Egypt could cooperate in the training of Palestinian police officers, as provided for in the Peace Plan. Mr Abdelatty also stressed the need to speed up the implementation of the first phase of the Peace Plan, by providing humanitarian aid and opening the crossing points.
Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, the Sahel and Ukraine were also discussed. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)