Middle East and North Africa

Egypt
Last reviewed: 27 January 2008

Country information

See entire profile

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Egypt remains an important regional interlocutor, and plays an active role in the Arab League.

EU

The EU-Egypt Association Agreement came into force on June 2004. It includes provisions for initiating free trade between the EU and Egypt. It also includes co-operation in a wide range of fields, including regular political dialogue on issues such as human rights, rule of law and democratisation. The European Commission have completed negotiations with Egypt on a European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, the next step in developing the EU's relationship with Egypt. The Action Plan identifies areas for reform linked to closer co-operation with the EU.

EGYPT'S RELATIONS WITH THE UK

The British and Egyptian governments have a strong relationship and share mutual objectives.

UK/Egypt visible bilateral in 2007 was worth £1 .2 billion, with UK goods exports up by 20% on 2006. Together with estimated bilateral trade in services of around £1 billion (based on 2006 figure), total trade is worth about £2.2 billion. The UK is the largest foreign investor in Egypt, with cumulative investments across a wide range of sectors estimated at £10 Billion. UK companies are increasingly looking Egypt as a hub from which to develop business in the region as a whole.

We have full diplomatic relations with Egypt. Our Ambassador to Cairo is His Excellency Dominic Asquith CMG.

Inward Visits

Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt, 11 – 14 November 2007
Rashid Mohammed Rashid, Minister for Trade, November 2007
Grand Imam of Al Azhar, December 2007
Delegation led by Fathy Surour, Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, 21 January 2008Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Foreign Minister, May 2008
Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, 18-23 May 2008
Dr. Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, Minister for Water Resources &Irrigation, 9 – 13 June 2008

Outward Visits

Lord Malloch Brown, FCO Minister of State, November 2008
David Miliband, Foreign Secretary, November 2007
Lord Malloch Brown, FCO Minister of State, November 2007
HRH the Duke of York, January 2008
Lord Mayor of London, 11-13 March 2008
William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary, 12 May 2008
HRH the Duke of York, World Economic Forum, 18-20 May 2008
Lord Malloch Brown, FCO Minister of State, 30 June – 1 July 2008

AID

The EU continues to provide assistance to Egypt through the MEDA programme, and the UK contributes a significant proportion to the EU's total development assistance programme.

CULTURAL RELATIONS and EDUCATION

We have excellent cultural links with Egypt. The British Council has a substantial operation in Cairo and a smaller operation in Alexandria. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers approximately 20 Chevening Scholarships and 10 Chevening Fellowships to young Egyptians each year. The United Kingdom was the guest of honour at the Cairo Book Fair where the business of publishing was a feature as the cultural debates between intellectuals, writers, scientists and the reading. The fair will run from 23 January until 4 February.

Country information

See entire profile

Share this with:

Address:

Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
26 South Street
London
W1K 1DWA

Consulate General:
2 Lowndes Street
London SW1X 9ET
Defence Office:
24 South Street
London W1K 1DN
Commercial Office:
23 South Street
London W1K 2XD
Press and Information Office:
299 Oxford Street
London W1C 2DZ
Cultural Office:
4 Chesterfield Gardens
London W1J 5BG
State Tourist Bureau:
170 Piccadilly
London W1J 9EJ
Medical Office:
47 Longridge Road
London SW5 9SD

Telephone:

(020) 7499 3304/2401
(020) 7235 9719 Consulate General
(020) 7493 2649 Defence Office
(020) 7499 3002 Commercial Office
(020) 7409 2236 Press and Information Office
(020) 7491 7720 Cultural Office
(020) 7493 5283 State Tourist Bureau
(020) 7370 6944 Medical Office

Fax:

(020) 7491 1542
(020) 7235 5684 Consulate General
(020) 7495 3573 Defence Office
(020) 7493 8110 Commercial Office
(020) 7493 7456 Press and Information Office
(020) 7408 1335 Cultural Office
(020) 7408 0295 State Tourist Bureau
(020) 7370 3641 Medical Office

Email: eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg

Email: modegy2003@hotmail.com

Email: london@tamseel-ees.gov.eg

Email: info@egpressoffice.com

Email: egypt.culture@btconnect.com

Email: info.uk@egypt.travel

Email: samiehamer@egmedoffice.org

Office hours:

Mon-Fri: 0930–1630