The European Union and Egypt on Sunday marked the twentieth anniversary of their Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, celebrating a partnership that has grown into one of the EU’s most comprehensive research collaborations with a non-member country.
In her address at the anniversary event in Cairo, the EU Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst described the occasion as “a bridge of knowledge, innovation, and shared prosperity,” addressing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour, Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Tourism Sherif Fathy, alongside researchers, innovators and senior officials.
The ambassador noted that since the agreement was signed in 2004, cooperation between the EU and Egypt has expanded significantly, with more than 350 joint projects implemented across sectors ranging from renewable energy and agriculture to archaeology, health, climate adaptation and cultural heritage. She added that Egyptian universities, private sector entities and civil society organisations have played an increasingly active role in successive EU framework programmes, culminating in Egypt’s large-scale participation in Horizon 2020 and now Horizon Europe, the world’s biggest research and innovation programme. Thousands of Egyptian students and scholars have also taken part in Erasmus+ mobility, while researchers have benefited from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for doctoral and postdoctoral training.
The ambassador described Egypt’s recent association to Horizon Europe as “the biggest milestone yet” in bilateral cooperation. The agreement, signed on 22 October in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, places Egypt among a select group of countries that can lead, coordinate and design Horizon Europe projects rather than simply participate in them. She said this would give Egyptian institutions greater global visibility and influence in shaping research agendas at a time when scientific collaboration is essential to addressing regional and international challenges.
Looking to the future, Eichhorst announced the opening of a new EU liaison office at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Supported with €1.5 million in technical assistance, the office will work to strengthen Egypt’s engagement in Horizon Europe ahead of new funding calls expected in December 2025, and to help create joint research and innovation ecosystems that link Egyptian and European researchers, businesses, investors and policymakers.
The event also marked the launch of the EU–Egypt Research and Innovation Week, organised jointly with the Higher Education Ministry and EU member states. The programme includes a series of events, exhibitions and discussions highlighting collaborative achievements and future opportunities.
She concluded her remarks by paying tribute to the Egyptian government, participating ministers and the country’s research community, saying the anniversary was “a celebration of partnership, trust and a shared vision for the future.” She added: “Let today be an acknowledgement of all the researchers, innovators, policymakers and institutions that shaped this journey. I look forward to the next chapter of our cooperation.”
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