Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

met dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and European Union Institutions, with Mr. Johansen Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget. The meeting dealt with the positive developments in Egyptian-European relations during the recent period and ways to deepen this cooperation in all economic, developmental and social fields, taking advantage of the momentum Which was generated by the President's visit to Brussels last February.
Abdel-Aty reviewed the efforts of the Egyptian government to achieve comprehensive development at all levels, highlighting the great challenges that Egypt faces as a result of regional political developments and the economic repercussions of the crisis in Ukraine and its direct impact on Egyptian food security and the rise in energy prices in global markets, as well as its negative impact And direct on the inbound tourism sector to Egypt.
For his part, the European Commissioner expressed his appreciation to Egypt and its political leadership, highlighting his follow-up to the development taking place in Egypt in all political, economic and social fields, adding that the recent period witnessed a qualitative leap in relations between the two sides, and stressed the European Union's support for Egypt as a reliable strategic partner. The European official dealt with the pivotal role that Egypt plays in achieving security and stability in the Middle East and Africa, as well as joint efforts in the field of combating terrorism, especially in light of Egypt and the European Union taking over the joint presidency of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum during the next two years, and Egypt's pivotal role in confronting the phenomenon of illegal immigration. Legitimacy and its success in controlling its borders and preventing any illegal immigration boat from leaving the Egyptian coasts for Europe since 2016.
The meeting also dealt with a review of the most prominent joint projects that are being implemented within the framework of financial and economic cooperation between Egypt and the European Union, as well as the main axes of cooperation between Egypt and the European side in the field of energy in the short, medium and long term, whether in the field of gas, electrical interconnection, production and export of green hydrogen to Europe, Egyptian preparations to host the 27th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP27, and the Summit of Heads of State and Government that will be organized on the sidelines of the conference in Sharm El-Sheikh next November.
The meeting also dealt with the possibilities and the importance of encouraging European companies to invest in Egypt, especially in light of the opportunities that Egypt possesses through the economic zone in the Suez Canal area and Egypt’s endeavor to establish a green corridor on both sides of the canal to produce green hydrogen, and the possibility of the European Union benefiting from making this area a center for trading and storage Strategic goods to achieve a common interest for both sides.