The Subcommittee on Political Matters, Human Rights and Democracy of the Association Agreement between Egypt and the European Union held its fifth session in Cairo on 10-11 January 2018, according to a joint press release on Friday. The meeting was jointly chaired by Ambassador Raouf Saad, chairman of the National Bureau for the Implementation of the Association Agreement at Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by Colin Scicluna, acting managing director of the Middle East and North Africa section of the European External Action Service, which serves as the foreign ministry of the EU. The meeting took place as Egypt and the EU are launching a new level of dialogue and cooperation on an array of projects within the framework of the mutually-signed Partnership Priorities 2017-2020, according to the release. Representatives from the EU and Egypt discussed the Middle East peace process, the situations in Syria, Libya and the wider Arab region, peace and security in Africa, Nile water resources and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Both sides presented ways to further promote dialogue and cooperation, including in multilateral fora, towards attaining peace and stability in the Mediterranean and beyond. The parties also addressed cooperation in the areas of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and fighting corruption, acknowledging both positive steps and remaining challenges faced by both sides in achieving concrete progress in line with constitutional and international obligations. Both sides recognized that some differences of view on certain issues are a natural part of constructive dialogue among partners, but emphasized the necessity of strengthening dialogue and cooperation on all matters of mutual interest. Source: Ahram online
