Ashraf AboArafe
It is only a few days and the year 2023 will turn its pages, both good and bad. This is how the European Union Ambassador, Mr. Christian Berger, held a press conference this Wednesday afternoon at his residence on the European Union’s relations with Egypt… the events in the Middle East and the Gaza-Israel war… etc.
On the local level, Berger praised President Sisi’s victory in the 2024 presidential elections as an opportunity to complete projects between Cairo and Brussels to attract foreign investments to Egypt at the beginning of 2024 and reaching the year 2023, which achieved remarkable cooperation between Egypt and the European Union countries politically, economically, culturally and socially, pointing to the current joint presidency of Egypt and the Union. The European Global Counter-Terrorism Forum 2023/2025 after Egypt took over the presidency of the forum from Morocco.
Ambassador Berger also referred to the visit of senior European figures to Egypt, such as the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and others, indicating that the matter is not limited only to international meetings, but also to initiatives with civil society.
The European Ambassador said that cooperation between Egypt and the European Union in the water sector is not limited only to Cairo Water Week, but rather that Egypt has become a model for spreading awareness about water problems.
Berger added, “The signing of a partnership agreement with Egypt and the European Union on the sidelines of the 27th Conference of the Parties aims to connect electricity between Egypt, Morocco, and Spain as a start, and then between Egypt and Greece.”
Berger also highlighted enhancing the skills of Egyptians to find job opportunities in Europe.
Regarding exports, Berger confirmed the existence of cooperation between Egypt and the European Union to increase exports between the two sides, such as an increase in the proportion of natural gas exports from Egypt to Europe.
Regarding research, cooperation and innovation, he said that this is a sector that plays a successful and interconnected role with all the cooperation priorities that have been identified in the region, and Egypt was recently included in the “European Horizon” program to finance joint research between the southern and northern Mediterranean on challenges that are a priority at the present time.
Berger announced the organization of an investment conference during the first quarter of 2024 aimed at promoting investment in Egypt, saying: We are discussing with our counterparts in the Egyptian government about the location of the conference in Cairo or Sharm El-Sheikh according to the number of invitees.
Regarding the situation in Gaza, European Ambassador Christian Berger said that there were many statements issued at the beginning of the outbreak of the crisis, denouncing the attack that occurred by Hamas, but at the same time we made clear that Israel’s right to self-defense must be exercised within the framework of international law.
Berger confirmed that European aid to Gaza has been tripled, with a value of 125 million euros, with the establishment of an air bridge to transport aid. He explained that the current crisis lies in the suffocation of the area where aid passes as a result of Israeli inspections and the delay in its entry, stressing work to solve this problem and emphasizing the need to restore aid. Water supply.
He pointed to strengthening cooperation with Egypt in the field of health care, as medical aid is sent through about 9 European countries through Egyptian airports and then to the Gaza Strip.
Berger confirmed that European Union High Commissioner Josep Borrell is currently discussing in Brussels ways to impose sanctions on settlers who commit acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Berger said that the future of Gaza, according to what High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell said, includes redressing humanitarian situations, releasing hostages as well as returning again to our 40-year position of adhering to the two-state solution.
Regarding the double standards currently carried out by Europe and the Western community in terms of violations against demonstrators in solidarity with Palestine, arresting them, and preventing others from expressing their opinion, Berger said: There is a fine line between freedom of expression and supporting Hamas, and law enforcement agencies in the European Union countries have the final say regarding dealing with it. With these demonstrations, especially since the European Union considers Hamas a terrorist organization.
