Monday 12/May/2025 – 10:18 AM
Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, received Ambassador Angelina Ikhharst, the European Union’s ambassador to Egypt, in the presence of Dr. Ayman Farid, Assistant Minister for Strategic Planning, Training and Rehabilitation of the Labor Market and Acting Head of Cultural Affairs and Mission, and Dr. Salma Yousry, Minister of International Cooperation, in the Special Education Building in New Cairo.
Enhancing joint cooperation and expanding its horizons to serve common interests
The two sides reviewed ways to enhance joint cooperation and expand its horizons to serve common interests and sustainable development in Egypt.
During the meeting, the Minister stressed the strategic importance of the growing relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union, especially in the areas of higher education, scientific research and innovation.
Dr. Ayman Ashour praised the concrete results achieved through joint initiatives, programs and grants, stressing Egypt’s firm keenness to deepen this cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership that brings the two parties, and stressed the priority that Egypt attaches to the development of the human element, as the main pillar to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.
The minister explained the expansion of Egypt in its relations with various European countries, noting that the Egyptian -European partnership is based on the values of fairness, mutual respect and common confidence.
In this context, Dr. Ayman Ashour pointed to the successful visit made by French President Emmanuel Macron recently to Egypt, which witnessed the signing of many important agreements in the fields of education and scientific research, between higher education institutions from the two countries, which numbered 42 memoranda of understanding, as an extension of the long positive relations that link Egypt and France in the academic and research partnership.
He pointed to the opening of branches of many European universities in Egypt in the context of consolidating educational and research relations, and Egypt’s keenness to support the exchange of experiences in the areas of higher education and scientific research with various European countries, stressing the continuation of fruitful cooperation with Europe, which contributes to the development of the Egyptian higher education system and reflects Egypt’s attractiveness as a regional center for higher education.
Dr. Ayman Ashour appreciated the important progress that was made in the file of Egypt’s accession to the Horizon Europe program as a partner country, as Egypt submitted an official request to join this ambitious program in March 2024, followed by the start of official negotiations in October of the same year, and these negotiations resulted in the signing of the main negotiators in the first letters on the text of the agreement, in preparation for the completion of official procedures to approve them from both sides.
The minister pointed out that the Horizon Europe program is a leading initiative from the European Union; In order to support scientific research and innovation, Egypt’s accession to it would open broad horizons for joint cooperation in vital sectors such as renewable energy, food security, digital transformation, health and education, in a way that enhances sustainable development and serves the common interests of the Egyptian and European peoples, also valuing many scientific exchange programs, including the Erasmus program.
Dr. Ayman Ashour stressed Egypt’s interest in enhancing cooperation in the programs of inter -special disciplines for specializations, especially those that are compatible with the national priorities of the sustainable development plan in Egypt and the vision of the ambitious state.
The meeting dealt with the importance of supporting and facilitating student exchange and increasing scholarships for students, researchers and graduates, because of its vital role in enriching scientific and cultural exchange, and building a generation of qualified cadres capable of meeting the requirements of the changing labor market.
For its part, Ambassador Angelina Echdhrest expressed the European Union aspiring to deepen and expand the strategic partnership with Egypt, and focus on the areas that students need in addition to the graduates, to serve major development projects in Egypt and contribute to building the capabilities of Egyptian youth, noting the European Union’s keenness to support the provision of the largest possible opportunities for young researchers and students, and expanding the circle of beneficiaries.
The Ambassador praised the great development witnessed by the higher education system in Egypt and its increasing pioneering role at the regional level, stressing the full European Union’s welcome to enhance cooperation and investment in the Egyptian human element, especially in the sectors of higher education, scientific research and innovation.
The ambassador pointed to the keenness of the ambassadors of the European Union countries in Egypt strongly to support and enhance their country’s relations with Egypt in various fields, and in this context, the Minister congratulated the success of the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, noting that she congratulated the French ambassador on the fruitful cooperation that took place during the visit.
Ambassador Ikhherst indicated that Egypt is the largest strategic partner of the European Union in the Middle East and Africa, and its second largest partner in the world, which confirms the depth and importance of relations for both parties, and noted the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two sides in the field of science diplomacy, in a way that serves common interests and supports the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
The two parties also stressed the need to cooperate in transferring knowledge and technology, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, developing effective linking mechanisms between the academic community and industry, within the framework of implementing the goals of the national strategy for higher education and scientific research, achieving integration between them, and directing scientific research to serve the needs of different productive sectors, and transforming knowledge to practical solutions that contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth and providing job opportunities for graduates.
The two parties discussed the renewal of the Prima Convention between Egypt and the European Union, which aims to scientific and technological cooperation, and to enhance research and innovation in the Mediterranean region, especially in areas of common concern such as water, energy and sustainable agriculture issues.
The discussion also touched on the importance of enhancing cooperation in joint research projects, and the exchange of experiences and best practices in various priority scientific fields for development.
