On 21 May 2025, the European Union and the Arab Republic of Egypt took further steps in their partnership by extending the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) agreement
The agreement, which covers the period from 2025 to 2027, was formalised during a ceremony held in Cairo and reflects a shared commitment to fostering scientific collaboration to address pressing regional and global challenges.
Formalising continued cooperation
The extended PRIMA agreement was initiated by Dr Abdel Hamid El Zoheiry, PRIMA National Coordinator for Egypt, and Ms Nienke Buisman, Head of the Unit for International Cooperation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.
The ceremony brought together participation from senior EU and Egyptian officials, including Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, and Egypt’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mohamed Ayman Ashour.
This agreement highlights Egypt’s continued engagement in one of the Mediterranean’s key research and innovation initiatives. PRIMA aims to develop solutions for critical issues in the region, particularly water scarcity, sustainable agriculture, and food security, sectors deeply impacted by climate change and population growth.
Addressing regional and global challenges
By extending its participation in PRIMA, Egypt reaffirms its role in collaborative regional research. The renewed agreement allows Egyptian researchers and institutions to continue contributing to and benefiting from cross-border projects aligned with PRIMA’s thematic priorities.
These include sustainable management of water resources, agro-food systems, and integrated environmental strategies tailored to Mediterranean-specific needs.
Participants at the ceremony emphasised that the successful outcome of the negotiations reinforces the shared commitment between the EU and Egypt to tackling common challenges through science and innovation. It also shows the EU’s ongoing support for inclusive research frameworks that foster cooperation across the Mediterranean.
Horizon Europe 2025 launch
The initialling of the PRIMA agreement works with the launch event for the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, held the same day in Cairo. Organised by the EU Delegation to Egypt in partnership with Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, the event attracted more than 150 Egyptian academics, researchers, and innovators.
The launch showed opportunities for Egyptian participation in EU-funded research, particularly through new initiatives under Horizon Europe. These include the 2nd “Mediterranean Initiative” and the 3rd “African Initiative,” with a combined investment potential of over 650 million euros. These initiatives will further strengthen the EU’s role in promoting global research partnerships that are inclusive, problem-focused, and future-oriented.
Future association with Horizon Europe
This week’s developments come after ongoing discussions regarding Egypt’s future association agreement with Horizon Europe. Once finalised, this agreement is expected to significantly expand Egypt’s access to European research programmes and funding opportunities, laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.
With the renewed PRIMA agreement and the promising outlook for Horizon Europe collaboration, the EU and Egypt aim to address the Mediterranean region’s most urgent sustainability challenges through coordinated and impactful research.
