The visit of Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations to Egypt on 11-12 October provided an opportunity for EU and Egypt to enhance their partnership towards stability, security and prosperity.

Commissioner Hahn met President Abdel Fattah el Sisi and exchanged views on the political and security situation in the region, including in Syria, Libya and the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP). They agreed on the need to strengthen EU-Egypt’s partnership in all dimensions.

In his discussion with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, they took stock of the on-going discussions regarding the EU-Egypt relation under the revised European Neighbourhood Policy and re-asserted the common objective of meeting both sides’ interests and upholding common values. Governance, economy, social development, migration and security issues, as well as foreign policy were among the topics addressed.

Commissioner Hahn also met the Minister of International Cooperation Dr Sahar Nasr to discuss the EU-Egypt cooperation and sign six new Financing Agreements, amounting to €129 million that focus on improving the quality of life of Egyptian citizens through inclusive economic growth and notably the living conditions in informal areas of Cairo, contributing to the provision of citizens’ rights, including gender equality and supporting priority projects in the field of renewable energy and agricultural drainage. Additionally it includes support at institutional level to on-going reforms in the energy and water sectors.

These areas of work also made the object of discussions that Commissioner Hahn held with the Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker, the Minister of Trade and Industry Tarek Kabil and the Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority (SCEZGA) Ahmed Darwish, as well as representatives of the civil society and the private sector.

The European Union and Egypt have signed in 2001 an Association Agreement entered into force in 2004 and are currently in the process of defining Partnership Priorities under the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The EU aid portfolio to Egypt totals more than €1.1 billion in on-going grant commitments.