Brussels – Europe and the Arabs

As part of efforts to strengthen cooperative ties between the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the European Union in the fields of higher education, scientific research, and innovation, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, held a series of important meetings in Brussels yesterday. These meetings involved officials as well as representatives from Belgian and European academic and research institutions.
According to the Egyptian Embassy in Brussels, the meetings included Professor Jan Danckaert, Rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB); Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation; and Mr. Arnaud Vajda, President of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO). Also participating were Dr. Hans Willems, Secretary-General of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), and Dr. Véronique Halloin, Secretary-General of the Fund for Scientific Research – Wallonia (FNRS).
The discussions focused on ways to expand partnerships between Egyptian universities and research institutions and their Belgian and European counterparts; enhance cooperation in scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship; facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge; and support joint research initiatives and projects. Additionally, the talks addressed boosting Egypt’s participation in the "Horizon Europe" research and innovation program. These meetings hold particular significance given the opportunities they provide to build sustainable institutional partnerships, develop research capabilities, and align universities and scientific research centers with development needs and the knowledge-based economy—thereby helping to translate scientific excellence and innovation into tangible opportunities for development and progress.
Furthermore, these efforts represent a further step toward operationalizing the pillars of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union, deepening Egyptian-Belgian cooperation, and leveraging the scientific and technological capabilities of both sides to serve mutual interests and open broader horizons for future collaboration.