Cairo: Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Ayman Ashour, and Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, presided over the closing ceremony of the Egyptian-European Research and Innovation Week 2025. The event, held on Friday, December 5, 2025, marked the culmination of a series of activities aimed at strengthening scientific collaboration between Egypt and the European Union.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ceremony was attended by notable figures including the Spanish Ambassador to Cairo, Mr. Sergio Carranza, the Romanian Ambassador, Ms. Olivia Toderan, and the Deputy Head of Mission of Hungary, Ms. Xenia Sibos. Several advisors, cultural and scientific attach©s from European embassies, academic and research leaders, ministry officials, and representatives from the commercial and industrial sectors were also present.
The Research and Innovation Week, which saw participation from researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and students, took place across various Egyptian governorates. It was launched at the end of November to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the scientific partnership between Egypt and the European Union. The launch event was attended by Egyptian ministers and senior EU officials, focusing on bolstering the partnership and expanding Egypt’s involvement in European research programs.
Dr. Ayman Ashour highlighted a significant increase in activities during the week, including specialized dialogues, institutional visits, and bilateral meetings. He emphasized that Egypt’s official accession to the Horizon Europe program offers unprecedented opportunities for Egyptian researchers and innovators, challenging national institutions to enhance their competitiveness.
The Minister outlined that the Horizon Europe program aims to address key questions for future cooperation, such as identifying priority areas for joint research, strengthening Egypt’s role as a hub for research networks connecting Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa, and maximizing the research impact on the economy and industry. Emphasizing Egypt’s role, he mentioned efforts to support centers of excellence, promote scientific mobility, and activate trilateral cooperation with European, African, and Mediterranean countries.
Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Ashour stated that steps will be taken to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian proposals within EU programs. This will include supporting institutional and sectoral focal points, developing training programs, expanding communication platforms with European partners, and activating the European Cooperation Office to maximize participation opportunities.
The focus will remain on initiatives aligned with Egypt’s development priorities, reinforcing its role as a strategic partner of the European Union in science and innovation fields.