EGYPT and the European Union (EU) are seeking to enhance their bilateral relations on various fronts. Among major priorities is to continue cooperation on facilitating visas to EU countries. "I know there are some problems related to issuing Schengen visas. We'll be working out some solutions," said Marc Franco, head of the EU delegation in Egypt during a press conference that was held last week as Belgium takes the rotating presidency of the EU for six months starting July. According to Bruno Neve De Mevergnies, Belgian ambassador to Egypt, addressing illegal immigration is among the EU's major concerns. "A common migration policy is now being discussed. This is not a simple issue and we have not been able to provide answers to all the challenges involved," said the Belgian diplomat, adding that Egypt is not among the countries understood to create problems for the EU in this regard. "Egypt has an excellent bilateral agreement with Italy on providing skilled labour," De Mevergnies added. Cooperation between the two sides will work to ensure smooth follow up on the EU-Egypt Action Plan. "We have a mutual interest in preserving the environment. Various steps are being taken towards upgrading a carbon-low economy," said Franco. On the regional front, Egypt and the EU need to coordinate efforts to address important issues, including the Nile basin waters. "The EU is fully supportive of Egypt's position. All parties concerned have to go back to the negotiation table. Obviously, Egypt is inclined to pursue more economic cooperation with countries of the Nile basin. Mobilising more investment into Africa is a constructive way out of the deadlock," noted Franco, adding that the EU has been closely involved in water-related issues in Egypt -- a major water management programme has been executed in collaboration with different EU member states aiming to provide better access to potable water, introduce wastewater management systems, and enhance water efficiency. At present, the EU has 27 member states comprising 500 million people. Except for Luxembourg, all member states are represented in Egypt. The EU is Egypt's largest trade partner. Egypt's commodity exports to the EU rose from $2.7 billion in 2004 to $6.8 billion in 2009 according to the statistics of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
