The International Cooperation Committee hosted Klaus-Dieter Ebermann, head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Egypt, for a special breakfast held at the Four Seasons Hotel on March 27. Ebermann spoke about the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and the EU-Egypt Joint Action Plan in a talk entitled “Egypt-European Union: neighborhood in motion.”

Ebermann described the EU as a new form of governance and a zone of peace, stability and prosperity. With 27 member states, it is now the biggest single consumer market. It is also a key trading partner for Egypt. Last year alone, trade between the EU and Egypt grew over 60 percent, reaching d13.6 billion. Europe, explained Ebermann, has no quotas or tariffs for Egypt’s industrial products, and unlike with the US, for example, a special trade protocol like the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) Agreement is unnecessary. “The gates are wide open” he stated.

The speaker stressed Europe’s role as an ally of the Arab region, citing the EU’s presence on the Quartet on the Middle East and its support of the Palestinian people. He explained that the EU is now focusing its foreign policy on neighboring countries to the south and the east, with the objective of expanding its zone of peace, stability and prosperity. Embodied in the ENP, the goal is to go beyond trade and to deepen the EU’s relationship with its neighbors.

The EU-Egypt Joint Action Plan, signed in Brussels on March 6, 2007, covers various areas of political, economic and cultural cooperation, Ebermann noted. A financial package of d558 million provided by the European Commission is intended to help Egypt in the implementation of the plan for the next three years.

Areas of cooperation include governance reform, education and health sector reforms, infrastructure, energy strategies, environmental policies, technology and business enhancement. Ebermann told attendees that through the “twinning system,” various institutions in Egypt, such as the postal service and transport system, will be upgraded by being modeled on European entities.

Egypt is further eligible for a number of ENP instruments meant to encourage investment and sustainable development.

Ebermann concluded by urging business associations and other civil society organizations to play an active role in the implementation of the Action Plan.