Brussels, 27/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Egypt have decided to set up an ad hoc working group to strengthen bilateral relations under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). “The EU supports Egypt in its efforts to forge closer links with the EU,” said Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Kohout after the Association Council in Luxembourg on Monday 27 April. “This is the right time” for relations to be strengthened, said External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, indicating, however, that the process “will take some time”. Initially, the working group will identify the content and the areas where closer contacts are desirable (health, education, infrastructure, etc). Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said he hoped that final agreement on improving relations would be reached before next year, although he acknowledged that more time might be needed. “We have the feeling that the Europeans understand our position and are ready to work to enhance all activities, political, economic, financial and social, between Egypt and the EU,” he said.
When asked later about the possibility of the EU enhancing relations with Israel, Ferrero-Waldner said that, while this was an offer “that in principle still stands”, any future progress would depend on developments in the region and the determination of the Israeli government “to work for a prosperous, secure and peaceful Middle East with an independent, viable and democratic Palestinian state, living peacefully beside Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital”. (A.B./transl.rt)