Egypt and Poland convened the first session of their Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in Warsaw, with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties and expanding collaboration across multiple sectors. The meeting, chaired by Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania A. Al-Mashat, took place as part of the growing strategic relations between Egypt and Europe. Al-Mashat stated that the session demonstrates the commitment of both countries to fostering stronger relationships and expanding cooperation in various fields. She also highlighted that this meeting serves to activate the economic cooperation agreement signed during the Polish President's visit to Egypt in 2022. This agreement supersedes an earlier accord from 1964 and intends to modernise economic collaboration. "The convening of this session reflects both countries' commitment to strengthening ties and expanding cooperation across various fields," Al-Mashat said. The session marks a renewed effort in Egyptian-Polish relations, with the prior agreement dating back to 1964. That accord saw 12 joint committee meetings, with the last taking place in Cairo in 1993. The new agreement, according to Al-Mashat, is designed to reflect current economic developments and encourage greater cooperation across a range of areas, as both countries seek to enhance economic and developmental initiatives. The meeting is taking place before Poland takes on the presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2025, succeeding Hungary. Al-Mashat emphasised that the joint committee serves as a platform to explore mutual interests and expand collaboration. She stated that it builds on the increasing momentum in Egyptian-European relations, attributed to the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The Egyptian delegation, headed by Al-Mashat, included representatives from several ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Investment and Foreign Trade, and the Suez Canal Economic Authority. Poland's Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk, led the Polish delegation. The ministerial meeting followed two days of discussions involving experts from multiple Egyptian and Polish ministries. Participating Egyptian ministries also included the Egyptian Space Agency, Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Electricity and Renewable Energy, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Supply and Internal Trade. Polish counterparts attended from ministries covering Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Economic Development and Technology, Foreign Affairs, Higher Education, Infrastructure, and the Civil Aviation Authority.
