This may start to change next month when the EU and Egypt sign an association agreement aimed at improving economic and political co-operation. The EU already has signed similar agreements with Tunisia, Morocco, Israel and the Palestinian Authority as part of a strategy of strengthening links throughout the entire Mediterranean region. Egypt stands to gain from an economic development package worth more than euro 5 billion to the Mediterranean region and better access to European markets for its agricultural produce. For its part, the EU is eager to gain tariff-free access to a market of more than 65 million people, half of whom are under 18. But a more important motivation is Europe's concern that the region should be politically and economically stable.
Instability produces emigrants and refugees, many of whom view Europe as their closest safe haven.
Among the more difficult negotiating points in the agreement was a human rights clause that Cairo complained was tougher than that applied to its neighbours. The new clause was at the insistence of the European Parliament, which has become increasingly concerned that the EU should use trade and aid agreements to secure improvements in human rights. In Egypt, concern centres on the government's treatment of civil society and restrictions on the freedom of assembly and expression. EU officials were outraged last year when the government attempted to exercise control over non-governmental organisations, many of which receive EU funding. Cairo is nervous about the prospect of dropping import tariffs on industrial exports from the EU, although the agreement specifies lengthy transitional periods to allow Egyptian industry to adapt.