Egypt's amb. to Berlin reviews promising bilateral relations

CAIRO – 14 February 2019: Egypt's President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi arrived in Munich on Thursday upon an invitation to attend the Munich Security Conference 2019 due on February 15-16.

Badr Abdel Aati, Egypt's ambassador to Germany, issued a report on Egyptian-German relations and the remarkable development they have witnessed since 2015 under President Sisi.

Sisi's first visit to Berlin in 2015 was the first step to change the negative German stance towards the June 30 revolution and paved the way to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Cairo in March 2017, and a another visit for Sisi to Berlin in June 2017, Abdel Aati said.

He described the series of visits as a move that caused a qualitative shift in the nature of the relations between the two countries, bringing them back to normal course.

The president's visit to Berlin in October 2018 reflected the level of maturity of the relations between the two countries and the common basis for mutual cooperation and interests, he added.

Egypt is seeking to attract more German investments, transfer the German technology in a number of fields, particularly the automobile industry and to upgrade education in Egypt, based on German quality, both in terms of university and technical education, the ambassador said.

Meanwhile, Germany is keen to develop relations with Egypt due to the North African country's influence in the region, considering it as the main pillar of the stability of the Middle East and the first main power in the region to deal with terrorism and illegal migration, according to Abdel Aati.

He added that Egypt is a hub for launching German industries and exports to the Middle East and Africa.

The cooperation with Germany in the automotive sector has witnessed a remarkable progress, especially after the return of Mercedes to the Egyptian market, the ambassador said, adding that there is a possibility of cooperation with Mercedes in terms of smart cities, electric cars and transportation, and self-driving systems to preserve the environment.

A technical delegation from Mercedes intends to visit Egypt in February 2019 to activate the decision of resumption of the company's activity in Egypt, the ambassador said.

Waste management

The cooperation with Germany in waste management and recycling is one of the most important areas the Egyptian Embassy in Berlin has followed up on, following the president's visit to Berlin in October 2018, he said.

A number of Egyptian ministers have closely watched the German model of recycling wastes, the ambassador said, adding that they have found that this model cannot be totally transferred to Egypt due to the different nature of waste in Germany, as well as the different climatic conditions in the two countries.

Diplomatic relations

Following June 30 revolution against the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian relations with Germany, as well as many other countries, were strained. However, diplomatic, and subsequently economic relations with Germany have been restored in a short time.

During the first term of elected President Sisi, Merkel received Sisi in Berlin in June 2015, marking the end of strained relations, while a number of protests have been launched in support of Sisi in Berlin, according to Berlin police.

During Sisi's historical visit, an €8 billion ($9.1 billion) deal was signed with German Siemens AG to build gas and wind power plants in Egypt. According to media reports, it is the largest single order in Siemen's history.

Although Merkel opposed the death punishment ruled against former President Morsi at the time, she praised Egypt's peace efforts in the Middle East, saying in a news conference that there were many good reasons for the strong ties between the two countries, including common interest in achieving peace and security.

In January 2017, Sisi discussed with Merkel cooperation in countering terrorism. The two officials also discussed a future visit by Merkel to Cairo, said a statement by the Egyptian Presidency Office.

In March of the same year, Merkel visited the Egyptian capital, where she discussed with President Sisi issues including illegal migration, terrorism and the latest developments in the region.

Following the meeting, Sisi praised, in a press conference, the development of the relations between the two states in various fields.

Merkel expressed appreciation of the long term bilateral relations, which have lasted for about 61 years, affirming that Germany is one of Egypt's major trade and investment partners.

Sisi and Merkel also watched a video conference of the opening ceremony of the German Siemens's three power plants established in Egypt.

During his speech in the inauguration of the megaprojects in July, CEO of Siemens Joe Kaiser said that the three giant electricity plants, provided by Siemens, produce electric power for 40 million citizens, in addition to the provision of power to companies and factories for many years to come.

“The plants will also provide Egypt with prosperity, flexibility and diversification, enabling the country to export energy to Europe and establish cooperative relations with Saudi Arabia,” Kaiser added.

Economic relations brief

There have been a number of 1,048 German companies operating in the Egyptian market until July 31, 2017. The volume of trade in 2017 recorded €5.8 billion ($6.6 billion) compared to €5.3 billion in 2016.

The trade exchange between Egypt and Germany during the first seven months of 2018 recorded about $2.78 billion.

The value of Egyptian imports from Germany during this period decreased by 17.8 percent compared to the previous year, to reach about $2.361 billion.

While Egypt's imports of cars, tractors, bicycles and parts increased to $414.337 million during the same period.

Concerning investments, Egyptian investments in Germany reached $46.1 million. The most important sectors in which Egypt invests in Germany are financing, pharmaceuticals, furniture, medical equipment, tourism and trade.

Also, Germany's investments in the agricultural sector in Egypt amounted to $34.5 million with 33 companies operating in the field.