On March 21, 2024, ECFA Chairman Ambassador Mohamed El-Oraby, and ECFA Director Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, received the new head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Egypt office in Cairo, Steffen Krüger.

The meeting mainly discussed the following:

1- The Head of Egypt Office briefed ECFA on the latest developments related to the reopening of the Foundation’s office in Cairo, referring to the procedures being carried out with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the facilitations it provides to them through Ambassador Hussein El-Saharty.

2- He added that the Office is preparing a cooperation program with the Egyptian Center for Economic Studies, especially with regard to employment and job opportunities, in addition to cooperation with the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, and Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. As for ECFA, it will cooperate with it in organizing discussion panels and workshops on issues of common interest, such as international and strategic relations, the Red Sea security, and the situation in Africa in general, as well as elections in Europe and the rise of the right-wing parties there.

3- Accordingly, ECFA Director indicated that there are many experts who are members of the Council in these various issues. A number of other issues can also be discussed, such as illegal immigration, energy security, energy issues and security in the East Mediterranean. Cooperation between the Council and the Foundation can be bilateral or with a third party.

4- The guest agreed to Ambassador El-Oraby’s suggestion regarding the possibility of exchanging young diplomats between the Egyptian and German sides, adding that the Foundation’s Head can give lectures on topics of common interest between the two sides. The Council also welcomed receiving the Chairman of the Foundation to give a lecture within the framework of enhancing cooperation between ECFA and the Foundation.

5- ECFA Chairman and Director also noted that it is the responsibility of the Foundation to convey or deliver a clear picture regarding the positions and policies of the Egyptian state, as well as to discuss the German position, especially with regard to the Palestinian cause and the genocide in Gaza, against the backdrop of the position of the Egyptian state and its parliament in this regard. The Head of the Foundation’s Office replied that he is working on this matter by sending reports to Germany and communicating with the various political groups there, in order to clarify the situation and the Egyptian vision.

6- As for the office starting its operation, the Head of Egypt Office explained that he hopes it will be in June or July following the completion of all the necessary procedures.