Ashraf Abo Arafe
Cairo on 17 June 2019 – The 7th meeting of the Subcommittee on Transport, Energy and Environment under the Egyptian European Association Agreement was hosted by the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation on the 16th of June 2019. Co-chaired by Ambassador Reda Bebars – Advisor to the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation and Ms. Anna Strzaska – Head of the European Neighborhood Policy Division in the European External Action Service. The meeting was attended by the EU delegation in Egypt, Ministries of Transport, Civil Aviation, Electricity, Petroleum and Environment and foreign affairs. Representatives of several EU Member States observed the meeting.
The Egyptian and European sides discussed a broad range of cooperation items including updates of the energy balance, unbundling process of the electricity transmission operator, renewable energy, energy efficiency, electricity market reform and bilateral cooperation including the EU support to Egypt as an electricity hub.
In the oil and gas sector, the latest developments and the role of Egypt as an oil and gas hub, as well as the reforms listed in the sector and the opening up of the Egyptian domestic gas market were addressed.
In the environment sector both sides discussed recent policy updates including the EU circular/ green economy developments, as well as the Egypt sustainable development strategy, national strategy of biodiversity and waste management and transition to a circular economy strategy. Cooperation on the regional and bilateral sides were discussed as well as climate change related issues.
On transport, parties discussed the cooperation in aviation sector including aviation security as well as railways safety and regional cooperation with the European transport agencies and the Regional EuroMed projects. Preliminary exchange of views on the EGNOS satellite system took place.
Both sides recognized the depth and importance of the partnership, emphasizing the magnitude of their bilateral relations. They reiterated commitment to deepen and strengthen the partnership notably through continuous and sustained dialogue in order to prepare for the Association Committee that will meet before the end of 2019.
