Seaport integration, labour migration pact sought by Egypt with Slovenia

Egypt is seeking to link its national seaports with Slovenia’s Port of Koper and aims to secure an agreement for the regular migration of Egyptian workers to meet Slovenian labour needs, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Wednesday.

Speaking during a meeting with Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouly proposed expanding existing logistics cooperation between the Port of Alexandria and the Port of Koper—a major Adriatic gateway—to include Egypt’s Ain Sokhna and Damietta ports.

The integration is intended to facilitate Egyptian exports to the European Union and support Slovenia’s access to African markets. The talks coincided with an economic event in Cairo featuring a Slovenian trade delegation of 25 companies,including 15 operating in logistics and infrastructure, alongside Port of Koper representatives.

Madbouly also stated Egypt’s intention to formalise a labour migration agreement to deploy Egyptian workers in sectors prioritised by Slovenia, mirroring arrangements Cairo has established with other European nations.

During the meeting, Madbouly outlined Egypt’s energy infrastructure plans, including an electricity interconnection project with Greece and the linking of Cypriot gas fields to Egyptian facilities. He highlighted these projects as strategic components of Egypt’s partnership with the EU to bolster European energy security.

President Pirc Musar, who held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday, identified the automotive industry as a primary area for expansion, citing Slovenia’s manufacturing expertise. Madbouly affirmed that localising electric vehicle production is a top investment priority for Egypt, alongside telecommunications, information technology,and pharmaceuticals.

Pirc Musar also pointed to opportunities for cooperation in tourism and the sciences, specifically in artificial intelligence,chemistry, and biology, noting existing ties between Cairo University and the University of Ljubljana. In response,Madbouly proposed sending top Egyptian students to Slovenian institutions, including the Jožef Stefan Institute.

Highlighting bilateral investments, Madbouly cited the Iskraemeco factory, owned by Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric, as a prominent operator in Slovenia’s energy sector. He also noted that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to recognise Slovenia following its independence in 1991.

Addressing regional geopolitics, the Egyptian Prime Minister commended Slovenia’s support for international humanitarian law regarding the Palestinian territories, specifically the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The meeting was attended by Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and Egypt’s Ambassador to Slovenia,Nahla El Zawahry. The Slovenian delegation included Ambassador to Egypt Sašo Podlesnik; Stanislav Raščan, State Secretary for International Law, Multilateral Affairs, Economic Diplomacy, Development, Humanitarian Aid, and Security Affairs; Foreign Policy Advisor Damjan Bergant; and Sports Advisor and Spokesperson Nejc Šporin.