Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 03/2010

Dynamics and evolution of the EU-Egypt relationship within the ENP framework

Michele Comelli

February 2010

Istituto Affari Internazionali

Abstract

Egypt, like the other Southern Mediterranean (SM) countries, was more of a recipient than a co-initiator of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) launched by the European Union (EU) in 2003. In fact, while being extended also to SM countries, the ENP was mainly intended for the EU’s Eastern neighbours (Comelli, 2005). At that time, relations between the EU and Egypt were mostly conducted within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process, launched in November 1995), and the related Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement (AA), signed on 25 June 2001, had not yet entered into force.1