Egypt is seeking within the upcoming period to resume its negotiations with the European Union over expanding the Egyptian-European partnership that will provide Egypt with many additional advantages, said an official at the country's International Cooperation ministry. Ambassador Gamal Bayoumi, Secretary General of the European Partnership Agreement at the Ministry of International Cooperation, stated that the two parties agreed to hold meetings on July 2nd. Yet, the European officials call to postpone their meeting with the Egyptian counterpart due to the aftermath of June 30 protests. Mr. Bayoumi further explained that the negotiations are about adding new significant dimensions to Egypt's relations with the EU, notably granting periodic EU economic aids to the North African country, more facilities in the trade movement between the two sides and the approval of Egyptian Quality Certificate. He also expected that the EU-Egypt negotiations are likely be resumed by next September due to summer holidays and the latter's current unstable situation. The European Union is the only main partner for Egypt, noting that the volume of trade exchange between the two sides was estimated $ 33 billion by the end of 2012.
