Shoukry, EU Commissioner Discuss Enhancing Cooperation, Partnership

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received today, Sunday, the European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhely, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss ways of boosting the partnership between Egypt and the European Union.

Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained that Shoukry pointed out to the importance of developing the partnership between Egypt and the European Union at the strategic level in proportion to the volume of the common challenges facing the two sides.

Shoukry pointed out to the importance of continuing the dialogue and taking concrete measures to address the trade balance deficit between Egypt and the European Union, in order to increase the penetration of Egyptian products to the European market, in addition to encouraging more European investors to invest in Egypt in light of the distinguished investment climate provided by the state and the advantage of geographical proximity.

Shoukry also said that Egypt is willing to become a center for manufacturing and exporting vaccines to Africa, expressing aspiration to cooperate with the European Union to achieve this goal, especially in light of the capabilities that Egypt enjoys in this regard.

On his part, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement stressed that Egypt is an important partner for the European Union, expressing aspiration to enhance cooperation through upgrading the partnership between the two sides,  expressing the European Union's appreciation for the Egyptian role in supporting the establishment of stability in the region.