Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, convened with Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD), Rémy Rioux, to discuss the future trajectory of Egyptian-French relations within the framework of their strategic partnership. The discussions focused on activating joint declarations and agreements signed during the recent state visit of French President Macron to Egypt.
Dr. Al-Mashat underscored the significant advancements in Egyptian-French relations across economic, cultural, scientific, and other domains of mutual interest. These developments, she noted, reflect a shared understanding by both nations’ leadership of the prevailing global challenges and the imperative to solidify bilateral ties to advance development efforts and bolster Egypt’s economic stability.
The elevation of Egyptian-French relations to a strategic partnership, Dr. Al-Mashat articulated, will broaden the scope of collaborative endeavors across key priority sectors, particularly renewable energy, and transport and logistics, aligning with Egypt’s strategic regional positioning.
Highlighting the diversified nature of the partnership portfolio, she underscored its contribution to Egypt’s economic development across sectors including electricity and renewable energy, universal health insurance, social protection, water treatment and sanitation, and climate action and green economy transition.
A pivotal outcome of the meeting was the reiteration of the Joint Declaration for the Renewal of Technical and Financial Cooperation, signed in the presence of Presidents Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Emmanuel Macron. This declaration will facilitate coordinated efforts to identify and implement priority projects, enhancing strategic cooperation in economic and regional development, trade, and technology and knowledge exchange.
Mr. Rioux expressed his appreciation for the warm reception extended to President Macron and the French delegation, affirming France’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s development aspirations. He underscored the robust and enduring historical ties between the two nations.
Since the establishment of the AFD’s office in Egypt in 2007, France has significantly contributed to Egypt’s development financing, with a portfolio totaling approximately €4 billion for both public and private sectors, alongside €12.6 million in development grants and €150 million in EU-managed grants.
Key sectors of focus include transportation, electricity, industry, civil aviation, health, agriculture and irrigation, housing and urban development, and education.
Furthermore, France, through AFD, has supported Egypt’s National Platform for Green Projects (NWFE) in the energy and transportation sectors, with partnership agreements amounting to €100 million for the energy sector, including €50 million for the Alexandria Regional Control Center, and agreements with the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the transportation sector.
This meeting reaffirms the commitment of both Egypt and France to deepening their strategic partnership and driving sustainable development through enhanced cooperation.
