Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, has arrived in Warsaw to chair the first session of the Egyptian-Polish Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. This marks the first meeting of its kind in over three decades, reflecting the commitment of both nations to strengthening ties and expanding collaboration across various sectors.

Al-Mashat emphasized that the committee’s convening demonstrates the evolving strategic relationship between Egypt and Europe, particularly with Poland set to assume the EU presidency on January 1, 2025. She highlighted that the initiative is a direct result of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s efforts to enhance bilateral relations, following his meeting with the Polish President in 2022, during which an agreement to broaden cooperation was reached.

The inaugural session of the joint committee is a significant step towards activating the economic cooperation agreement signed during the Polish President’s 2022 visit to Egypt. This agreement replaces an older framework established in 1964, under which 12 committee sessions were held, the last being in Cairo in 1993.

Al-Mashat explained that the new agreement aligns with current economic realities and aims to usher in a new phase of cooperation, paving the way for joint efforts across various fields of development and economic growth.

Al-Mashat will lead the Egyptian delegation, which includes representatives from key ministries such as Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Trade, the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority, and Egyptian agencies in aviation, agriculture, energy, and education. She will co-chair the ministerial session alongside Poland’s Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Krzysztof Baszczyk, following two days of expert-level discussions between the two sides.

The Polish delegation includes officials from the Ministries of Climate, Environment, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, and Infrastructure, reflecting Poland’s interest in strengthening ties with Egypt across a broad range of sectors.

Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development continues its efforts to enhance relations with international development partners, overseeing 54 joint committees with countries worldwide, 30 of which are European. These committees serve as vital platforms for fostering bilateral and multilateral economic relations.