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EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COMMITTEE VISITS EGYPT
A delegation of the EU’s European Economic and Social
Committee headed by Professor Roberto Confalioneri, in
charge of co-ordinating and following up
Euro-Mediterranean activities, visited Egypt from 7 to
11 September. The delegation met with senior government
and parliamentary officials, leading Egyptian civil
society representatives, the business community, the
trade union federation, NGOs and academia.
The purpose of the visit was to make explore and
encourage the creation of a dialogue between employers,
chambers of commerce, trade unions, and civil society
(farmers, consumer groups, other NGOs), similar to the
model which has proved effective in the European Union,
and which is being gradually developed among
Euro-Mediterranean partners. Professor Confalioneri
stated “Egypt is a close and valued partner of the
European Union. The response from our contacts in
Alexandria and Cairo, assisted by the Alexandria Library
and other organisations, has been tremendous. I believe
employers, workers and civil society groups in Egypt
will work to create a dialogue according to their own
needs, and the European Economic and Social Committee
stands ready to help”.
As a first step, an Egyptian delegation will participate
at the next Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Economic and
Social Councils and similar institutions to be held in
Athens on 15 and 16 October. This will pave the way for
the further involvement of Egyptian civil society in
Euro-Mediterranean activities, and to the development of
contacts and co-operation between Egyptian and European
civil society organisations. |
