Source: Brookings Institute
Author(s): Adel Abdel Ghafar
Original Link: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2018/03/01/egypts-long-term-stability-and-the-role-of-the-european-union/
Summary:
This paper examines key factors threatening Egypt’s long term stability. It explores the issues of demographics, unemployment, climate change, economic reform, and insurgency in Sinai. Furthermore, the article highlights the effect that instability in Egypt has on Europe. The fragile nature of EU-Egyptian relations is emphasized. EU policy on Egypt focuses on the areas of: sustainable and inclusive economic growth, stronger partnerships in foreign policy with a focus on stabilization of the common region, and enhancing stability and security in Egypt. However, this policy is threatened by the aforementioned challenges. As such Adel Abdel Ghafar states that the EU must adjust its’ approach in order ensure Egyptian stability and guarantee European interests. He also states that the EU should focus support on inclusive economic programs that benefit youth and women, support Egypt’s ambitions to become a regional gas hub, support initiatives promoting the development and adoption of renewable energy sources in Egypt, and, most of all, EU member states must undertake a unified approach toward Egypt.
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In Europe, the combination of the migration crisis, terrorist threats, economic pressures, and the rise of the populist far-right have highlighted the fact that instability in the Middle East has a direct bearing on stability in the West.
Egypt—a country of 97 million people with a GDP of over $336 billion and a longstanding role in mediating peace efforts in its region—is a critical partner to Europe in finding solutions to transnational challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region….
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