Juraj Blanár and Egyptian Minister Ránija al-Mašátová signed an intergovernmental cooperation agreement in Cairo
The intergovernmental agreement on economic cooperation between the Slovak Republic and the Arab Republic of Egypt was signed on Saturday in Cairo by the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár and the Egyptian Minister for Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Ránija al-Mašátová. According to the head of Slovak diplomacy, this document is an important step in strengthening the relations between the two countries and creates a new long-term basis for their economic cooperation. TASR was informed about this by the communication department of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.
“In an effort to strengthen the economic diplomacy activities of the Slovak Republic, which have a direct positive impact on our economy, we are intensifying dialogue with countries located in regions where the potential is growing, where Slovak entrepreneurs are interested in developing their activities. One of them is the global South, including African countries, within which Egypt has an important position for us,” said Blanár. According to him, the intention is to boost the mutual trade between the Slovak Republic and Egypt, which reached 342 million euros last year.
Joint Commission
The new agreement aims to support cooperation at the governmental and professional level with the aim of exchanging information, expert experience, supporting investment activities through the establishment of joint ventures, the participation of entrepreneurs at fairs and exhibitions or bilateral visits by business delegations. On the Slovak side, the manager of the agreement is the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
Based on the agreement, the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation will be established, which will meet once a year in Slovakia or Egypt, Blanár explained. “In this way, we can support relations in the field of trade, investment, innovation and energy in a more targeted and effective way and thus contribute to the more intensive involvement of Slovak companies in prospective projects on the Egyptian market,” he added.
During his visit to Egypt on Saturday, Minister Blanár will also hold talks with sector partner Badr Abdalátí and will represent Slovakia at the opening ceremony of the Great Egyptian Museum in Cairo, one of the most important cultural projects of today.
