On 21 May 2025, the European Union and the Arab Republic of Egypt successfully initialled the extension of the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) agreement in Cairo.
The agreement was initialled by Dr Abdel Hamid El Zoheiry, PRIMA National Coordinator for Egypt, and Ms Nienke Buisman, Head of Unit for International Cooperation at DG Research & Innovation of the European Commission.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt; HE Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; and senior officials from the Egyptian Ministries of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Foreign Affairs.
The positive outcome of these negotiations underscores the strategic importance of PRIMA as a flagship research and innovation initiative in the Mediterranean region. All participants highlighted PRIMA’s vital role in addressing global challenges—particularly water scarcity and food security. Additionally, they stressed that this renewed agreement (covering 2025–2027) will ensure continued Egyptian participation in collaborative projects under its thematic calls.
The initialling coincided with the launch event for the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, also held on 21 May in Cairo. The EU Delegation to Egypt organised this event in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology The event welcomed over 150 Egyptian academics, researchers, and innovators.
Ambassador Eichhorst and Minister Ashour opened the event, highlighting collaboration and funding opportunities under Horizon Europe, including a 2nd “Mediterranean Initiative” and a 3rd “African Initiative” under Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 with an overall potential investment of more than 650 M. euro.
This event took place against the backdrop of the future association agreement of Egypt to Horizon Europe that will further strengthen the framework for EU–Egypt research and innovation cooperation in the coming years.
