Egypt, Europe Agree to Support ‘Food Security’ Efforts

Egypt and EU officials signing the agreement to enhance "food security" (Egyptian government)
Egypt and EU officials signing the agreement to enhance "food security" (Egyptian government)
TT

Egypt, Europe Agree to Support ‘Food Security’ Efforts

Egypt and EU officials signing the agreement to enhance "food security" (Egyptian government)
Egypt and EU officials signing the agreement to enhance "food security" (Egyptian government)

Egypt and the EU have signed a grant agreement of $40 million to support food security challenges.

The grant comes within the framework of the European Union's support for the food security in Egypt program, funded by a grant of €100 million. Projects related to the remaining amount, estimated at €60 million, are being agreed upon.

The signing ceremony was held on Thursday in the presence of International Cooperation Minister Rania Mashat, Supply and Internal Trade Minister Ali Moselhi, Agriculture Minister Sayed el-Quosair, president of the Foreign Ministry's office of the Egyptian-European partnership Amr Abo Eish, Head of the EU delegation to Egypt, Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) Martino Melli, and several officials.

The agreement resulted in the signing of several partnership deals, including the emergency project to support food security and flexible response at a value of $500 million with the World Bank, the Takaful and Dignity Expansion Program worth $500 million with the World Bank, and the Food Security and Economic Resilience Support Program at a value of $271 million with the African Development Bank.

Mashat confirmed that the agreement comes in light of Egypt's efforts to face food security challenges resulting from the Russian-Ukrainian war.

It also aims to strengthen national efforts in grain production and storage, stimulating climate resilience and increasing the storage capacities of strategic grains.

On Thursday, Moselhi reiterated the importance of cooperation with Italy and the EU in supporting the plans of the Egyptian state. He also referred to the Ministry's plans to expand wheat storage silos and stimulate food security efforts.

The Minister pointed out that the Egyptian state has taken many steps to achieve food security over the last eight years through land reclamation and cultivating strategic crops.

Furthermore, the Minister of Agriculture referred to the excellent cooperation and coordination between all Egyptian ministries to support the food security system, noting that Egypt has good collaboration with the Italian side to implement several projects in the agricultural sector, especially in the field of rural development, digital transformation, agricultural mechanization, and others.



Egypt Seeking to Activate its Strategic Partnership with Europe

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP)
TT

Egypt Seeking to Activate its Strategic Partnership with Europe

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty kicked off on Sunday a visit to Brussels and Strasbourg for talks with European officials aimed at following up on activating the strategic partnership between Cairo and the European Union.

A Foreign Ministry statement said that meetings during his first stop in Brussels aim to bolster cooperation with the EU. The FM is scheduled to hold talks with senior European officials, including head of the European Council and chief of foreign policy.

He will also meet with heads of major Belgian companies and members of the Egyptian diaspora.

Egypt and Europe are keen on strengthening and developing their relations to the level of “comprehensive strategic partnership,” as announced during a summit in Cairo in March that was attended by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, head of the European Commission, and the presidents and prime ministers of Cyprus, Italy, Austria and Greece.

In Strasbourg, the home of the European Parliament, Abdelatty will meet with its speaker and heads of various parliamentary political groups and committees concerned with following up on the development of ties between Egypt and EU, added the Foreign Ministry statement.

Former Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi underscored to Asharq Al-Awsat the importance of the timing of the visit given the developments in the region and the success of international mediation, including Egypt’s, in reaching a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza.

Egypt is hoping the EU would pressure Israel to forge ahead with peace and implement the two-state solution to support stability in the region, he added.

Egypt is also hoping to boost coordination with Europe over developments in the Horn of Africa, Red Sea and other regions, as well as in counterterrorism and in deepening bilateral ties, especially in the economy and investment, he continued.