The UK’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and her Egyptian counterpart have signed a joint statement of intent to reform renewable energy regulations at the launch in London of a new platform to develop strategic partnerships. 

The “platform for co-operation”, built on an agreement signed by the nations in December 2020, was created this week at the inaugural meeting of the UK-Egypt Association Council. 

Ms Truss and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry took the opportunity to explore prospects for enhanced economic co-operation between the countries and agreed to increase bilateral trade and investment. 

The two also discussed several matters of mutual concern, including the food crisis resulting from the war in Ukraine and the hosting of Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh in November. 

Describing the meeting as “fruitful” in a statement released by both ministers, they welcomed a number of successful commercial collaborations, including: the two-line Cairo Monorail project featuring trains manufactured in Derby, central England, and supported by UK Export Finance; the purchase by the Egyptian Navy of two ex-Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships; investment of $80 million for the opening of a 66-megawatt solar farm by Globeleq; and the launch of commercial operations at the Lekela wind farm in northern Egypt with a joint fund of $325m. 

Ms Truss and Mr Shoukry pledged to work towards improving market access across a number of industries and sectors, and to tackle any barriers impeding trade and the sharing of expertise. 

The UK and Egypt emphasised their commitment to strengthening bilateral co-operation and investment in health care and education, given both fields’ direct effect on levelling-up, job creation and enhancing the quality of public services. 

A “new phase” of technical collaboration between the UK’s National Health Service and Egypt’s healthcare system are among the projects in the pipeline, the statement said 

Orginal Article Link: https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/uk-news/2022/07/08/egypt-and-uk-ministers-launch-new-association-council-in-london/