The relations between the two countries extend their ancestry to the periods that have been historically known by sea peoples that is to say the peoples in which the sea plays an essential role in all their life. The relations between the two countries developed with the inclusion of Egypt into the region of the Roman State., and as Durant, the famous writer, denoted in his famous book " “The Story of Civilization”, Rome considers Egypt as a property of the Roman empire itself.

Egypt was kept as a part of the Roman Empire until the Islamic conquest in 20 AH. Despite the continuous war between the two countries, the commercial activities continued. The Roman Dinar remained in force till the Muslims began to create their own currency under the reign of Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan, who ordered to deal with the gold one in 74 AH.

The cultural interaction continued between the two countries especially after the Islamic conquests .In the Renaissance era the Italians cities were the only strait that helped the transfer of the Arab sciences to Europe. This cropped up by two ways: the discovery of the blood circulatory system that went through Padua, the Italian city to Europe, and through the translation of Ibn Naïf's book "Law in Medicine”.

The deep ties between Italy and Egypt have been well seen in several areas.

- The 19th C and the first half of the 20th C witnessed the distinguished and intensive presence of the Italian community in Alexandria and Cairo and the long active Italian Orientalism movement, that still exists.

On the second half of the twentieth century, relations became severely strained.

However, relations were re-established and the two countries now have a cordial relationship reflected after the Global Project for the revival of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which received great Italian support, not only at the governmental level but also from the Italian institutions and the individuals.

In conclusion, both Egypt-Italy have convergence in issues related to security of the Mediterranean Sea, combating terrorism and extremism. They both, specially after June 30 revolution, stressed the importance of enhancing political security consultations on the overall status in the Arab region, especially in Syria and Libya. They also both agreed to identify the policies that could be taken to encounter the escalation of extremist fundamentalist movements, both in the Horn of Africa and North Africa, and their implications for the security of the Mediterranean.

 

Political Relation

Egypt and Italy have long, strong relations, since the Ptolemaic State and the Romanian State.  In the modern era, the exchange of ambassadors between the two countries began in 1914. These relations ceased in between 1940 and 1945, almost all the period of World War II.  Then relations turned to be good, and Egypt and Italy have become members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

After June 30, there were major developments in the Egyptian-Italian relationships. This   has been witnessed in their Political relations; official visits and the Italian government support to the Egyptian road map on 30 June. The Italian government supports Egypt in its war against terrorism that has been spread in many neighboring countries especially Libya.  The two countries are affected by what is happening in Libya and are working to support the efforts of building the Libyan State and preventing its fall into the hands of the terrorists.

Italy has returned back its ambassador to Egypt after evidences proved Egypt’s good standing. Finally, in view of the deep relations between the two countries, especially on the economic level, it was normal for Rome to return its ambassador to Cairo.

Furthermore, Ambassador Hisham Badr presented his credentials to Italian President Sergio Matrella to take up his post as Egypt’s ambassador to Rome, almost a week after the return of Italian Ambassador Giampaolo  Cantini.

Mutual Visits

On October 7, 2018, Agricultural Minister Ezzedine Abu Stait visited Italy to participate in the 7th session of the "Blue Sea Land Expo of Mediterranean, African and Middle Eastern Clusters".

 

On September 16, 2018, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico visited Egypt and stressed with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Ali Abdel Aal the importance of boosting bilateral cooperation in the various fields. Abdel Aal and Fico agreed on enhancing trade cooperation and parliamentary coordination in the various regional and international forums.

 

On August 4, 2018, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Enzo Moavero Milanesi and his accompanying delegation visited Egypt, which was received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. During the meeting, Sisi asserted Egypt’s keenness on fostering cooperation with Italy in the different fields, especially the economic, trade and investment ones. He hailed fruitful and constructive cooperation with Italian companies, particularly those working in the petroleum and natural gas sectors.

 

On July 18, 2018, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Matteo Salvini visited Egypt, which was received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The meeting tackled means of boosting bilateral relations, with Sisi asserting Cairo’s keenness to foster cooperation with Rome at all levels and achieve strategic partnership with it. The two sides also exchanged views with regard to a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, most notably the Libyan file and illegal immigration across the Mediterranean.

 

On March 20, 2018, An Italian Police delegation visited Egypt to participate in a workshop between the Egyptian and Italian Police in combating illegal immigration crimes and organized crime.

 

On March 14, 2018, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Italy to head the international conference in support of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) besides foreign ministers of Jordan and Sweden. As Egypt is the current Chairman of the Agency's Advisory Committee.

 

On December 17, 2017, Italian Interior Minister Marco Minetti visited Egypt , which was received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and stressed that Egypt is keen on promoting strategic partnership with Italy at all levels. Minetti, meanwhile, said that the coming period would witness more cooperation between the two countries in the field of combating illegal migration and terrorism.

 

On November 29, 2017, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Italy to participate in the Mediterranean dialogue forum and held a session of talks with his Italian counterpart. The two sides discussed several developments related to the regional situations.

 

On October 22, 2017, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Vincenzo Amendola visited Egypt, where the two sides discussed the Egyptian-Italian relations and means of enhancing it in various fields, as well as discussing regional and international issues of common interest, including developments the situations in Syria, Libya and the Palestinian cause. The two sides also discussed issues related to illegal immigration and international efforts in combating terrorism.

 

• On July 11, 2017,   President Abd el Fattah  El -Sisi met a delegation from the Italian Parliament, headed by the President of the Senate Defense Committee, Mr. Nicolas LaTori, and the membership of the Vice-President of the Senate, Maurizio Gaspari. The two sides discussed means of activating political relations between the two countries and reviewing the developments of the case of the Italian student Regini. The president stressed the importance of continuing close and continuous cooperation between the investigation bodies in both countries.

• On March  28, 2017, National identity cards for Egyptian citizens living in Italy have been extracted by a delegation from the Egyptian  Civil Status Department of the Ministry of Interior who had undertook a mission to Italy to extract it for Egyptian citizens living in Italy.

• On February 5, 2017, Speaker of the House of    Representatives, Dr. Ali Abdel-Al, headed a parliamentary delegation  to Italy which was attended by a number of officials and parliamentarians. The two sides discussed ways of cooperation and issues of common concern.

• On March 14, 2016, Attorney General Nabil Ahmed Sadiq received Dr. Jusini Benatouni, Deputy General of Rome. The two sides discussed the issue of the killing of Italian citizen Julio Regini and the latest investigations to date. The two sides agreed to continue and develop their direct joint cooperation to find out the facts of the case being investigated intensively.

• On February 1, 2016, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri paid a visit to Italy to participate in the ministerial meeting of the International Alliance against Daeash.

• On December 17, 2015, Minister of State for Migration and Egyptian Affairs abroad Nabila Makram, headed a delegation that included representatives from the Ministry of the Interior, the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood and the National Coordination Committee for Combating Illegal Immigration in Egypt.

• The delegation met with Italian officials concerned with illegal migration, Children and minors coming across the Mediterranean to Italy.

• Makram met officials of the Ministry of Justice and Interior in the Island of Sicily to follow up the situation of illegal immigrants, especially the minors and young Egyptians who met them. The delegation was briefed on immigration registration procedures and the provision of primary care for arrivals.

• On December 12, 2015, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry paid a visit to Italy to participate in the international meeting organized by Italy on Libya in the presence of several concerned international and regional parties to follow up the Libyan issue, in the presence of UN envoy to Libya Martin Cobbler and representatives of the Libyan parties.

• The meeting discussed the support and encouragement of    Libyans to reach the required consensus on the political agreement and the formation of the national reconciliation government, in addition to the steps required by the international community to support the Libyan government after its formation and how to confront terrorism in Libya.

• On September 9, 2015, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met a delegation of the Italian Senate's foreign affairs committee. Al-Sisi stressed the importance of concerted efforts by the international community as a whole to confront terrorism and warned against the consequences of the phenomenon of foreign fighters and the supply of weapons to terrorist groups.

• Kazini expressed the desire of the Italian Senate to strengthen parliamentary relations with the new Egyptian parliament after its formation, pointing out the importance of reviving the Egyptian-Italian relations in various aspects, especially with regard to the tourism sector and the return of the Italian tourism flow to Egypt to the previous era.

• On August 9, 2015, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Italian Senate and the delegation of Italian parliamentarians visited Egypt. The delegation inspected the project of rehabilitation and restoration of the Italian Consulate, and expressed their admiration for the completion of the work within one month.

• On July 9, 2015,  Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahleb, met   Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Italian Senate, Pierre Ferdinando Cassini, who headed a delegation of Italian parliamentarians, in the framework of strengthening relations between Egypt and Italy and consultations on the issues and challenges facing the Middle East and the Mediterranean region.

• On August 29, 2015, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met Claudio D'Escalzi, Executive Director of Italy's Eni Petroleum Company . D'Escalzi noted that the company signed in June 2015 an agreement to increase its investments in Egypt.

• On July 24, 2015, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab visited Italy, met with Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentlion. The two sides discussed a number of regional issues of mutual concern and stressed the importance of working together to reach solutions to these issues, including the situation in Libya and the threat of the terrorist group "Daesh". He witnessed the signing of a number of agreements with the Italian side in the fields of gas and energy and cooperation agreement on the new city of Damietta for furniture.

• On July 13, 2015,  President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, at the Presidency of the Republic in Heliopolis, met  Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni who paid a visit to Egypt, in solidarity with Egypt against the terrorist attack that hit the headquarters of the Italian consulate in Cairo.

• Al-Sisi expressed Egypt's appreciation for Italy's position in support of the Egyptian efforts to combat terrorism. He praised the Italian reaction to the bombing in the vicinity of the Italian Consulate in Cairo by senior Italian officials, in particular the Italian Prime Minister

• On July 6, 2015, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi met  Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni in Egypt. The two sides discussed means of pushing bilateral relations as well as addressing a number of regional issues of common concern.

• On May 6, 2015, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, head of the Council of Muslim Sages, Dr. Ahmed al-Tayyeb, headed to the Italian city of Florence to participate in the "meeting of the sages of the East and the thinkers of the West towards the dialogue of civilizations."

• On May 27, 2015, Major General Sedaki Sobhy, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production met First Lieutenant Claudio Graziano, the Chief of Staff of the Italian Defense Forces and his accompanying delegation, during their visit to Egypt. The two sides exchanged views on the developments in the region that affect security and stability in the Middle East, discussing a number of issues of common interest and tackling ways to increase military cooperation in many fields between the Armed Forces of both countries.

• On April 9, 2015, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri paid a visit to Italy. He was received by Italian Foreign Minister Paulo Gentloni. The meeting dealt with the course of bilateral relations between Egypt and Italy and means of further deepening them in various political, commercial, economic and investment fields.

• On February 13, 2015, Italian Prime Minister Matthew Reynzi visited Egypt to attend the conference to support and develop the Egyptian economy.

• On July 3, 2015, Ambassador Osama Al-Majdoub, Assistant Foreign Minister for Neighboring Countries Affairs received  Giuseppe Grimaldi, Italy's envoy to Libya, headeing a delegation to visit Egypt. The meeting discussed the latest developments on the Libyan arena as well as handling the scenarios to be able to deal with them.

• On February 24, 2015, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahalb received the Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development heading a delegation of representatives of major Italian companies to Egypt.

• The two sides discussed the possibility of the availability of many investment opportunities in Egypt due to its wide markets.

• He stressed that all Italian companies are welcome to work in all sectors such as oil, gas, construction, construction and infrastructure, pointing out that Egypt aspires to become a hub for the activities of Italian and international companies in Africa and the Arab and Mediterranean regions as  Egypt is a member of the COMESA region.

• On February 21, 2015,   President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi received in Egypt Claudio D'Escalze, CEO of Italian oil company Eni. Al-Sisi praised the company's long history of cooperation and activities in Egypt since the 1950s and praised the successes achieved in the Egyptian market. The current production volume of its subsidiaries represents about 28% of Egypt's gas and crude oil production. He also welcomed the increasing investments of Eni in Egypt, pointing to the increasing needs of the Egyptian market for energy, due to the economic projects being implemented currently and the significant growth in economic activity, as that would provide an attractive environment and favorable climate for Arab and foreign direct investments in Egypt.

• On December 2, 2015, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces', Mahmoud Hijazi received  the Secretary-General of the Italian Ministry of Defense, Ensco Stefaniet, and his accompanying delegation .The two sides discussed a number of issues of common concern in light of the distinguished military cooperation and relations between the two countries. The meeting discussed the events and changes in the region and the implications for security and stability in the region.

• On December 19, 2014, Minister of Defense and Military Production, Major General Sedki Sobhi, headed a high-level military delegation to Italy, which was received by his Italian counterpart Roberta Benotti.

• The two sides discussed aspects of cooperation in many fields and signed a memorandum of military cooperation.

• On December 2, 2014, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Mahmoud Hegazi received Luigi Benelli Mantelli, the Chief of Staff of the Italian armed forces and his accompanying delegation, The two sides discussed a number of issues of mutual concern and means of increasing military cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

• On November 24, 2014, President Sisi paid a visit to Italy, during which he held a series of important meetings with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Senate and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. The  two sides discussed process of economic and social development and the continuation of efforts to combat terrorism and extremist thought, to clarify Egypt's position within the framework of the European Union and to mobilize European political and economic support for Egypt in the coming period.

• On September 4, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri paid a visit to Italy, where he met with Foreign Minister Federica Mugherini.  He congratulated her on her appointment as EU High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy. He also held meetings with the Prime Minister's Advisor for National Security.

• On August 2, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi received the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in Egypt .They  both  discussed several regional issues and issues of mutual interest and expanding cooperation between the two countries in various fields. They also discussed means of supporting various aspects of bilateral relations.

• On July 19, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mujerini, who praised the role played by Egypt in the region, describing it as "essential."

• On June 26, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a delegation from the Italian parliament, including Fabrizio Chichetto, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Italian House of Representatives, Sondro de Batista, Vice-Chairman of the Committee, and Dr. Mario Di Napoli. He also met three senior members of the Council.

• On February 3, Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy visited Rome and met with Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino. The talks dealt with a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, and discussed ways to further develop bilateral relations in political, economic and trade fields, including efforts to increase the  Italian investments and tourism in Egypt, especially as Italy is the largest trade partner to Egypt . 

• He also met with Italian Defense Minister Mario Mauro, and they exchanged views on a number of issues related to bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East, especially the developments of the Syrian crisis and the situation in Libya.

• Fahmi explained the situation in Egypt. He exposed to  what has been executed so far of  the  road map, the first of which was the constitution, which was held for popular referendum  and the commitment to implement the other  dues set in the road map.

• On June 2, former Prime Minister Issam Sharaf visited Rome together with Environment Minister Majed George to participate in the celebrations of the Republic Day and the 150th anniversary of the unity of Italy.

• On 16 and 17 May, Foreign Minister Nabil Elaraby visited Rome.

• On February 22, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini visited Cairo.

• On October 16 and 19, Deputy Foreign Minister Stefania Craxi visited Cairo.

• On 27 and 28 September, Minister for Equal Opportunities Mara Carfagna visited Cairo.

• On September 17, 19, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Stefano Salia visited Cairo accompanied by a delegation of young industrialists.

• On July 19-20, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Tiro Matioli, visited Cairo accompanied by the President of the Italian Railway Engineer Moretti to meet Egyptian Transport Minister Alaa Fahmy.

• On May 19, former President Mubarak visited Rome to attend the third governmental summit between the two countries (accompanied by ministers Rashid Mohamed Rashid, Amin Abaza, Ahmed Abul Gheit, Farouk Hosni and Fayza Abul-Naga).

• On September 17, 19, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Stefano Salia visited Cairo accompanied by a delegation of young industrialists.

• On July 19-20, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Senator Tiro Matioli, visited Cairo accompanied by the President of the Italian Railway Engineer Moretti to meet Egyptian Transport Minister Alaa Fahmy.

• On May 19, former President Mubarak visited Rome to attend the third governmental summit between the two countries (accompanied by ministers Rashid Mohamed Rashid, Amin Abaza, Ahmed Abul Gheit, Farouk Hosni and Fayza Abul-Naga).

• On May 5, Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni visited Cairo.

• On April 13 and 14, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Giampiro Masolo, visited Cairo.

• On April 13, the President of the People's Assembly Dr. Fathi Sorour visited Rome.

• On March 20 and 22, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Italian Senate, Lamberto Dini, visited Cairo.

• On February 25 and 26, former Minister of Trade and Industry Rashid Mohamed Rashid visited Rome.

• On 21 and 22 February, Italian Minister of Justice Angelino Alfano visited Cairo.

• On February 19, and 18, Minister of Tourism Mohamed Zuhair Garana visited Milan.

• On January 15 and 16, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini visited Cairo

• On 20 November, the Chairman of the Environment Committee of the Italian Senate Senator Antonio Dali visited Cairo.

• On 30 September, 1 October, Minister of Agriculture Luca Zaya visited Cairo and Alexandria.

• On May 11 and 12, Bilateral Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

• On March 15 and 17, Italian Senate President Renato Escivani visited Cairo and Al-Alamain.

• On March 14 and 16, Italian Minister of Economic Development, Claudio Skiola, visited Cairo and Alexandria.

• On March 2, Both Prime Minister Berlusconi and Foreign Minister Frattini visited Egypt to participate in the donor conference for the reconstruction of Gaza (Sharm el-Sheikh).

• On 24-25 February, Deputy Minister of Labor and Health and Social Policies, Pasquale Vespoli visited Cairo.

• On February 23 and 24, Italian President of House of Representatives Gianfranco Fini visited Cairo.

• On 10 February, former President Mubarak visited Rome.

• On January 21, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini visited Cairo.    

 

 

Economic Relations

On 19/9/2019: Egypt and Italy signed an agreement to establish ten vertical farm silos and apply the information and communications technology (ICT) system to enhance wheat management sector at a cost of EGP 360 million. The agreement falls within the framework of the third phase of the Italian-Egyptian Debt Swap (IEDS) Program. The deal was signed by Investment and International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr and Italian Ambassador in Cairo Giampaolo Cantini along with Chairman of the Egyptian Holding Company for Silos and Storage (EHCSS) Sherif el Basili in the presence of Supply Minister Ali el Meselhi.

 

Italy is one of Egypt's most important trading partners in the EU. Egypt’s  Non-oil exports to the Italian market have increased by 39% to 367 million Euros in the first quarter of this year compared to 264 million Euros in the same period of 2016.

The trade exchange between Egypt and Italy  increased significantly during the first quarter of the current year 2017 by 30%, as the volume of trade between the two countries was up to 1.3 billion Euros compared to one billion Euros during the same period of 2016.

Iron, aluminum, fertilizers, methanol, plastics, molasses and fresh vegetables such as artichokes, potatoes and lettuce, as well as preserved vegetables, topped Egyptian exports to the Italian market.

Italy has shown great interest in many projects inside Egypt. This is well shown through its participation in the implementation of many major national projects that the Egyptian government is intending to implement, especially in the framework of the development of the Suez Canal axis, as well as projects in petrochemicals, automotive components and small and medium enterprises.

The number of Italian companies operating in Egypt amounted to 1.052 companies and the contribution of these companies in the issued capital amounted to 1.675 billion dollars, of which 359 companies in the service sector, 310 companies in the industrial sector and 13 companies in the ICT sector.

Italian investments in Egypt are distributed in several fields, of which about $ 1.5 billion is for more than 900 companies in the fields of industry, services, finance, information technology, contracting and agriculture. This is besides investments in gas fields, including INI and Edison in Abu Qir, bringing total investments to about $ 9 billion.

On October 13, 2018, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received CEO of Italian company "Pedreni" for marble and granite. During the meeting, it was agreed to establish a marble city in the Jabal al-Jalalah city, which includes seven factories for producing marble, a factory for producing granite and a factory for production supplies, in addition to a vocational training institute on the marble industry.

On April 16, 2020, Egypt and Italy signed an

agreement to expand the project of applied technology schools and enhance the

skills of teachers.  The agreement is worth LE 40.8 million within the framework of the third phase of the Italian-Egyptian Debt for development Swap (IEDS) Program. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, minister of international cooperation; Dr. Tarek Shawki, minister of education and technical education; and Giampaolo Cantini, the Italian ambassador to Cairo signed the agreement.

 

The project aims to contribute to developing technical education, providing technical and professional graduates appropriate for good jobs, and establishing a network that comprises a large number of applied schools to be managed by the Applied Technology Schools Unit at the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to ensure compliance with international quality standards.

 

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat praised the Egyptian-Italian cooperation, which varies between bilateral cooperation, the IEDS Program, and the Italian commodity import program. The cooperation focuses on several sectors, most notably small and medium-sized enterprises, food security, education and social dimension, agriculture sector, cultural heritage and environment.

 

The Minister noted the importance of this project in achieving the fourth goal of the sustainable development goals by providing quality education.

 

Dr. Tarek Shawki expressed his pleasure for the cooperation with the Italian side, and the trust of the Italian side in the project of applied technology schools. He chose this project, in particular, because of its active and essential role in the rehabilitation of young people for the labor market, and the creation of new job opportunities that would

provide a good standard of living whatever the circumstances of the country. He pointed out that the project of applied technology schools aims to enroll more than 130 thousand male and female students, and train more than 3,000 faculty members and administrators by 2030.

 

The value of the portfolio of cooperation between Egypt and Italy through the IEDS program is EUR 350 million. It is dedicated to using this debt in development projects instead of paying it back to the Italian side. The implementation of the first phase of the exchange program amounted to about USD 150 million, and the value of the second phase amounted to about USD 100 million, while the total of the third phase of the IEDS program amounted to USD 100 million.

 

Bilateral Agreements

Recently concluded Agreements, Announcements and Memoranda of Understanding:

• On the margin of the First Joint Strategic Summit on June 4, 2008, the following agreements were endorsed :

• Memorandum of Understanding on Launching a Promoted Strategic Partnership between the two countries

• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Maritime Fish Farming.

• Agreement on offering technical support to the rail-way field in Egypt, with an annual five year grant with a total of 11.5 million Euros (before the summit).

• Agreement on restoration and protection of cultural heritage

• Establishement of an Egyptian-Italian university

Sharm Ehshiekh Second Strategic Summit on May 12, 2009:

• Memorandum of Understanding on Trilateral Cooperation in Africa.

• A Plan of Action for the period from 2009 to 2012 on promoting cooperation in the economic field and increasing trade. The plan includes supporting the establishment of small and medium enterprises, attracting Italian investments, developing human resources, technical training and elevating the Egyptian cadres competence.

• Joint Declaration on Bilateral Cooperation in the developmental field.

• Joint Declaration on the Implementation of The Debt Exchange programme for development.

• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of energy, including renewable energy (solar and wind energy), technology transmission and joint production, and considering trilateral cooperation in this field in Africa.

• Memorandum of Understanding on Italy's offering a grant of 550,000 Euros to finance the feasibility study of a rail-way line of the Cairo - Alexandria fast train, and the possibility of extending it to reach Upper Egypt.

• Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of joint cooperation council in the field of land and maritime transport and to link Egyptian ports with Italian ports (a new agreement was signed on maritime transport instead of the previous one signed in 1976).

• Memorandum of Understanding on Egypt's participation in the activities of EXPO 2015 exhibition in Milan.

• Joint declaration on expanding the geographic sphere before the vocational training schools affiliated to the DON BOSCO Institute in Egypt.

• Agreement between the Ministry of Petroleum and ENI Company to increase its investments in Egypt in the fields of oil prospecting, and joint production in Sinai, the Suez Gulf and the Mediterranean. The new investments will exceed 4.4 billion Euros. The agreement includes training, expertise transfer and joint work between the Egyptian Petroleum sector and the company abroad; it is expected to start projects in Libya and Iraq.

Third Strategic Summit on May 19, 2010,

• A Joint Declaration on the Implementation of an Economic and Social Development in the north western coast region.

• Memorandum of Understanding on a new Developmental Partnership.

• Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Cooperation in agriculture

• Joint Declaration on Promoting the Development of Commercial and Industrial Cooperation, as linked with the follow-up of implementing the Plan of Action of the period 2009-2012.

• Agreement on Cooperation on the Implementation of Projects in the field of Gas production and exploration.

• Agreement on Cooperation between Egypt Post and the Poste Italiane Group.

D- The agreements signed at the Egyptian-Italian Summit held in Rome on 14/9/2012

• Agreement on bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector during the period 2012-2013

• Agreement to enhance cooperation in the field of technical  and vocational education

• Agreement on the development of the second phase of the restructuring of the Egyptian railway

• Agreement on the establishment of bakeries in Egypt

• Joint Declaration of Support and Financing for Small and Medium Enterprises in Egypt

• Agreement on economic cooperation between the two countries during the period 2012 to 2015

Strategies of cooperation between the two countries

Egypt and Italy have established several development strategies aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening relations between the two countries.

In the First strategic summit between the two countries on  June4, 2008 , a Memorandum of understanding was signed to launch a strengthened strategic partnership between the two countries,  and another memo was signed  in the field of marine aquaculture together with  an agreement to provide Italian technical support to the Egyptian railway sector with a total grant of 11.5 million Euros for 5 years.

In The  Second Strategic Summit on May 12, 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding on Trilateral Cooperation    in Africa was indorsed and a Plan of Action for the period from 2009 to 2012 to promote cooperation in the economic field and increase trade. The plan includes supporting the establishment of small and medium enterprises, attracting Italian investments, developing human resources, technical training and elevating the Egyptian cadres competence.This comes in addition to a Joint Declaration on Bilateral Cooperation in the developmental field and other on the Implementation of The Debt Exchange programme for development.

Also a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of energy, including renewable energy (solar and wind energy), technology transmission and joint production, and considering trilateral cooperation in this field in Africa was signed.

A Memorandum of Understanding on Italy's offering a grant of 550,000 euros to finance the feasibility study of a rail-way line of the Cairo - Alexandria fast train, and the possibility of extending it to reach Upper Egypt  was signed as well.

An Agreement between the Ministry of Petroleum and ENI Company to increase its investments in Egypt in the fields of oil prospecting, and joint production in Sinai, the Suez Gulf and the Mediterranean was signed. The new investments will exceed 4.4 billion Euros. The agreement includes training, expertise transfer and joint work between the Egyptian Petroleum sector and the company abroad; it is expected to start projects in Libya and Iraq.

In the Third Strategic Summit on May 19, 2010,a Joint Declaration on the Implementation of an Economic and Social Development program  in the north western coast region  was announced and a Memorandum of Understanding on a new Developmental Partnership was signed.

This is in addition to a Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Agricultural Cooperation, an Agreement on Cooperation on the Implementation of Projects in the field of Gas production and exploration and postal services.

 

Cultural and Educational Relation 

Historical, geographic proximity and the presence of the two countries on opposite shores of the Mediterranean have had a significant impact on strengthening cultural ties between them.

 One of the first educational missions that Egypt sent to Europe under Mohamed Ali was headed to Italy to learn the art of printing.

Mohamed Ali also engaged a number of Italian experts to assist in the various tasks of building the modern state: in the exploration of antiquities; the exploration of minerals; in the conquest of Sudan; in designing the city of Khartoum and drawing the first survey map of the Nile Delta.

In 1901, an Italian construction company, Garozo Zavarani, built the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

The Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome has contributed to strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries by introducing the Egyptian arts and culture in Italy, and mixing Egyptian creativity with Italian art on a continuous basis through cultural and artistic activity.

The Egyptian Cultural Center in Rome sponsors the Egyptian envoys studying in Italy; supervises the examinations of our children abroad; provides them with the necessary educational services and contributes to the dissemination of Arabic culture and language in Italian society.

Cooperation between the two countries in higher education field is well seen. As, in 2013, the Italian government provided Egypt with 28 scholarships, ranging from three to nine months, in the fields of Italian language, archeology and agriculture.

Also, the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education provided scholarships for Arabic, Islamic and Coptic studies for 38 Italian students

The Egyptian –Italian cultural relations also included cooperation in the field of technical education.

The Don Bosco Institute for Technical Education in Cairo and Alexandria is one of the most successful examples of Egyptian-Italian cooperation in this important field because it provides training and technical education opportunities for Egyptian students who are qualified to work in Technical fields through the study at the Institute, and also allows students graduating from the Institute to enroll in Egyptian or Italian universities in accordance with the text of the agreement to support scientific, cultural and technical cooperation between the two countries.

At the same time, there is significant cooperation in the music; arts; and literature fields.

There are many signed agreements between the two countries including;

Third Strategic Summit on May 19, 2010:

Executive Protocol on the   Establishment of an Egyptian-Italian University.

Joint declaration on Establishing   Egyptian-Italian Cooperation for the development of education and scientific research in extension of the Egyptian-Italian Year activities for science and technology.

Joint Declaration on Boosting the Teaching of Italian Language and culture in Egypt.

Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of a department for the teaching of the Italian language at Ain Shams University        

Second Strategic Summit on May 12, 2009:

Agreement on the establishment of an Egyptian-Italian university.

Joint Declaration on Promoting Bilateral Cooperation in the field of Education and the Recognition of "diplomas of Leonardo da Vinci School" and putting it into force.

First Joint Strategic Summit on June 4, 2008:

Agreement on  the Protection and Restoration of the Cultural Properties.

Joint Declaration on the   Establishment of   an     Egyptian-Italian University.

Joint Declaration on considering 2009 a year for scientific and technological cooperation between Egypt and Italy.

Health, Social and Service Relations

The Egyptian-Italian health, social and service relations are strong and fruitful. There are many signed agreements between the two countries including:

Third Strategic Summit on May 19, 2010:

 

 

 

Memorandum of Understanding within the trilateral cooperation in Africa on the Implementation of Two Health Projects. The first to train  Sudanese midwives and the second to combat malaria in Ethiopia.

Joint declaration on Promoting Bilateral Cooperation in the field of Maintaining and Encouraging Child Rights and Family Empowerment in Egypt.

Joint declaration on promoting bilateral cooperation on minor immigrants.

Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation on Updating Management Field

Joint declaration on cooperation in the field of Seasonal Immigration.

Joint declaration on the Implementation of the Third Phase of the Bilateral Environmental Cooperation Programme.

Memorandum of Understanding on combating blood diseases.

Second Strategic Summit on May 12, 2009:

Joint Declaration on Municipal Decentralized Cooperation between the Italian provinces and the Egyptian governorates within the framework of "Regional Participation".

Annex to the Labour Convention signed between Egypt and Italy in 2005, which states that the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower and Immigration assumes supervision over a percentage of the work declarations allocated from the Italian government to the Egyptian workers.