Horizon 2020 launch event takes place in Cairo

Egypt has become the latest international partner to launch Horizon 2020. During a press conference, EU Ambassador to Egypt James Moran said that the framework programme would provide an opportunity for scientists and researchers of Mediterranean countries to work together in confronting community challenges.

Egyptian Minister of Scientific Research, Dr Ramzy George, attended the event along with approximately 400 researchers, industry experts, research institute representatives. George described Horizon 2020 as a “great opportunity to co-operate, open up and help recover economically, countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean”.

The head of the European Commission’s European Neighbourhood – Africa and Gulf Countries unit in DG Research and Innovation, Elisabeth Lipiatou, stressed that relations between the Union and Egypt had developed closely under an association agreement that first came into effect in 2004; the deal promoted the liberalisation of trade and Egypt’s access to European markets. Horizon 2020 will aim to boost relations even further, particularly in the areas of research and development.