Egypt, Spain sign 1st development partnership agreement to boost ties

Egypt and Spain signed on Thursday a landmark development partnership agreement during King Felipe VI’s historic visit to Cairo, aiming to deepen cooperation on economic growth, green transition, and food security.

The Partnership for Development Agreement (2025–2030), signed by Egypt’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, is the first of its kind between the two countries, the Egyptian Cabinet said.

Al-Mashat said the deal opens a “new phase” of bilateral relations built on equity, dialogue, and joint action, providing a framework for cooperation in areas including sustainable economic development, climate change, women’s empowerment, water, and sanitation.

The programme will also expand into regional and trilateral cooperation, leveraging Egypt’s experience in development projects.  This is the first global initiative of this scale made with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), she added.

King Felipe VI’s visit, his first to Egypt, included talks with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and participation in the Egypt–Spain Business Forum. Both sides described the agreement as a step forward in strengthening strategic ties signed earlier this year.

A joint committee from Egypt’s ministry of planning and the Spanish Embassy in Cairo will oversee implementation of the five-year programme.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser