Randa Achmawi*
Cairo – Beginning today (06), the joint action plan that was negotiated for several years between Egypt and the European Union will become effective. The document will provide the guidelines for the bilateral cooperation process over the next few years. In an interview to ANBA, the Foreign Relations Commissioner of the European Union, Benita Ferrero Waldner, said that the plan is going to open a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The plan includes, among other items, provision of financial aid for the structural reforms being promoted in Egypt, as well as the benefits of the European Neighbourhood Policy of the EU, such as market access, experience and technology transfer. The advantage of this policy is the fact that Egypt itself is going to decide the areas in which it wants to be assisted.
Benita assumed her current position in November 2004. Born in Austria, she is a former secretary of state for Foreign Relations, and a former minister of Foreign Relations in her country. She was also the first woman to become the Chief of Protocol at the United Nations. Below are the main stretches of the interview:
ANBA – What does this plan represent for the European Union?
Benita Ferrero Waldner – I am glad that the negotiations were finally concluded. This will allow us to inaugurate a new chapter in our relations. We are going to enhance our partnerships in a series of key sectors for both sides. Along with the financial aid package, we are proposing several advantages within the European Neighbourhood Policy.
What are the main points in this document?
It addresses bilateral cooperation over the next two or three years. The structure of the document is the same as that of the agreement previously issued by the Barcelona Process (a cooperation process between Northern and Southern Mediterranean). It contains three vital chapters, linked to economic, political and socio-cultural cooperation. There will be a mechanism for each of these fields, to be negotiated by the two parts. Egypt, for instance, is going to show us what are the activities in which the country most needs our assistance. This will take place in fields in which we do not work together yet, such as energy, infrastructure and organisation of migratory flows. The list is very extensive and ambitious. We highlighted, in our discussions with the Egyptian prime-minister, Ahmed Nazif, that it is important for this initiative to receive due attention and effort, because in this partnership, Egypt is going to show us in which areas it is more important for us to work. He promised to give us all of his support.
This cooperation is based in the economic sector…
This is not essentially an economic cooperation, and that is a distinguishing feature of our concept for cooperation with Egypt, as well as with many other countries in the region. What we have in the document is a new work instrument that forecasts the establishment of a series of sub committees, divided by subjects such as social issues, economy, political issues, human rights, democracy etc. All issues will be dealt with. These committees will be comprised of high-level government officials from both sides, who will meet on a regular basis. This is the foundation for the action plan. On the other side is the plan of the European Neighbourhood Policy, which proposes more funding and instruments, such as, for instance, the mechanism of institution coupling (two institutions that become associated in order to learn from each other) with the objective of transferring work and knowledge experiences. Parallel to this is the enhancement of policies, which will provide us with an unique opportunity for our relations to evolve.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
