The cooperation between Egypt and the European Union (EU) is characterised by wealth and depth in many fields, according to Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt. Berger added that, as a result, this partnership and the relationship between the EU and Egypt has intensified since the EU-Egypt Association Agreement was signed in 2004. During a celebration held by the European Delegation in Cairo on the occasion of Europe Day, Berger added, "We have partnership priorities signed in 2016 which last to 2021, so we will have new ones hopefully very soon." He stressed the importance of cooperation with the European neighbourhood, describing Egypt as a pivotal country as part of this, and linked to strong relations based on mutual interests with the EU. "We have close cooperation with Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population in vaccination programmes, and cooperation with Egypt in water and irrigation projects as we work with farmers trying to improve the water network," Berger added, "This is in addition to green energy and women empowerment." He noted that the EU is Egypt's biggest trade partner, accounting for 24.5% of Egypt's trade volume in 2020. Berger pointed out that the second batch of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic arrived, as part of the COVAX initiative, in Egypt on 9 May. "Despite entering the second year of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, this year is better than the previous one as vaccines appeared, and indeed the numbers of infections began to decline," Berger added, "We want to extend a helping hand to our partners, as the European Union is a key partner in the COVAX vaccine initiative to provide COVID-19 vaccines in low and middle income countries." He noted that, as a result, the EU has provided doses of the vaccine for partner countries, including Egypt, because there are efforts to ensure that the vaccine is distributed fairly in the world. Berger emphasised that the pandemic swept across the world rapidly, and had several negative repercussions on the health, economic, and social levels. It has also taught the world a lesson that no country could resist the pandemic alone, but it was necessary to unite.
