The EU and Egypt have formally signed a deal agreed in April that gives Egyptian researchers and innovators access to all parts of the programme
From left to right: Rania AlMashat, minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the European Council António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Valdis Dombrovskis, European commissioner for economy and productivity. Photo credits: Dati Bendo / European Union
Egypt has officially joined the Horizon Europe, becoming the second African country associated to the EU’s research and innovation programme after Tunisia, the European Commission announced on October 22.
The deal, signed at an EU-Egypt summit in Brussels, grants Egyptian research and innovation actors access to all parts of the programme on similar terms to those from EU member states.
Talks on Horizon association started in March 2024, immediately attracting criticism amid accusations of human rights violations in Egypt. There were also suspicions, denied by the Commission, that association talks were offered as part of a quid pro quo deal to stem illegal immigration.
Egypt is the most repressive country yet to associate to the programme, according to a ranking of academic freedom by the Friedrich-Alexander University in Germany. The country is thirteenth from bottom of the world rankings, between Cuba and Afghanistan. The next most repressive country associated to Horizon Europe is Turkey.
In a joint statement following Wednesday’s summit, EU and Egyptian leaders affirmed a “shared commitment” to human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the association agreement would create opportunities for cutting-edge projects “in vital research areas like water management, sustainable farming and food security, bringing tangible benefits to our societies.”
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The agreement also extends Egypt's participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area, to enhance water management, farming systems and food value chains.
“Egypt’s association to Horizon Europe opens a new chapter in our trusted partnership,” said research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. “Our researchers will work side by side to develop solutions that advance science, innovation and shared progress across the Mediterranean region.”
Egypt’s research ministry has launched a national action plan to raise awareness of Horizon Europe opportunities, build capacities for participation and re-establish the EU liaison office within the ministry, research minister Mohamed Ayman Ashour said in a social media post.
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