Egypt, Spain strengthen ties with strategic partnership agreement

CAIRO – 19 February 2025:  Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez signed a joint declaration to officially elevate Egypt-Spain relations to the level of a strategic partnership. This significant step followed high-level discussions between the two leaders at the Spanish government headquarters in Madrid.

During the visit, President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Sánchez oversaw the signing of multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) designed to enhance cooperation across key sectors between the two nations.

One of the most notable agreements focused on migration cooperation. Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Badr Abdel Aaty, and Spanish Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz Delgado, signed an MoU on Circular Migration. This agreement aims to streamline and regulate labor mobility, ensuring structured migration while expanding employment opportunities for both countries.

Economic and trade collaboration was also reinforced through an MoU on economic, trade, industrial, and technical cooperation. Signed by Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, and Spain’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Business, Carlos Cuerpo, the agreement is expected to strengthen commercial partnerships and increase investment flows between Egypt and Spain.

The tourism sector was another focal point of the agreements. Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty and Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, signed an MoU on tourism cooperation between Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism. This agreement seeks to enhance tourism collaboration by leveraging both countries' rich cultural and historical heritage.

Infrastructure and transportation development also featured prominently in the discussions. Egyptian Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, and Spanish Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, signed an MoU on infrastructure and transport development. This agreement aims to improve transportation networks, logistics, and major infrastructure projects, benefiting both nations and fostering long-term cooperation in the sector.

Beyond bilateral relations, Egypt and Spain also pledged to support peace and development in Africa. Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty and Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, signed a joint declaration focused on promoting stability, sustainable development, and regional cooperation across the African continent.

These agreements mark a significant milestone in Egypt-Spain relations, strengthening economic, trade, tourism, infrastructure, and migration cooperation, while also reinforcing their joint commitment to regional peace and development. The strategic partnership paves the way for deeper collaboration and long-term diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.