The co-operation between Egypt and the European Union was based on the Association Agreement, which entered into force in 2004, and the EU-Egypt partnership priorities for 2017-2020, which were agreed in 2017. The Association Agreement provided the framework for regular political dialogue between the two partners and enhanced co-operation in a number of key sectors. The aim of the partnership priorities, which include public administration reform, was to address common challenges, to promote joint interests and to guarantee long-term stability on both sides of the Mediterranean. The EU-Egypt partnership also highlighted “support to Egypt’s efforts towards public administration reform and good governance”. In March 2024, The EU and Egypt took their co-operation to the level of a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. To underpin this partnership, the EU is proposing a EUR 7.4 billion financial and investment support package for Egypt for 2024-2027.
In agreement with the European Commission and the Egyptian authorities, SIGMA support is currently focused on co-operation with:
- The Egyptian Regulatory Reform and Development Activity (ERRADA). Following the earlier project phase (2015-2019), during which the “Guide to Good Administrative Procedures for Egypt” (Guide I in English | Guide I in Arabic) was developed, SIGMA supported ERRADA with the overall goal to contribute to good secondary legislation through elaborating a practical "Guide to Developing Secondary Legislation in Egyptian Legislating Bodies" (Guide II) that was released in June 2022. Guide II in English I Guide II in Arabic. The current aim is to disseminate the principles and implement the practices in the Guides in the Egyptian public administration.
- The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) on simplifying business registration and doing business in Egypte Central Agency for Organisation and Administration (CAOA) on the performance of civil servants and the establishment of an observatory of quality of public services as part of the Administrative Reform Plan in the context of Egypt Vision 2030.
- The National Training Academy on strengthening knowledge and capacities related to public procurement principles and practices.
- The Ministry of Finance related to internal control management.
