Shura Council approves Egypt-EU association agreement

The Egyptian Shura Council approved yesterday under deputy speaker Abdel-Rahman Faroq the Egypt - EU partnership agreement.

Meantime, Minister of Foreign Trade, Youssef Boutros Ghali said talks are underway with a number of European countries to employ Egyptian nationals.

Shura Council member, Fathi Rageb said at the beginning of the sitting that the agreement will put an end to the European Union (EU) denial of access for some Egyptian products.

Another member, Rafa'at Al-Saeed said he wished the agreement were between the Arab League and the EU.

He added that the public sector can not stand the competition with EU products.

Ghali drew attention to the need for open discussion of the agreement in public to increase the benefit.

He added that EU was keen to conclude the agreement due to a need for new markets and labor, as labor in EU member states is very expensive.

Talks are underway with a number of European countries to employ Egyptian nationals, he said. Italy, France and Spain are among the countries which talks are held with to recruit Egyptians, including seasonal labor.