The German economy Minister Altmeier visited Cairo. The Federal government sees in Egypt a stable anchor in a turbulent Region. It goes to good contacts to Companies – but also to human rights.
Peter Altmaier, the Federal Minister of economic Affairs from the CDU, is personally looking forward to the trip to Cairo. Altmaier was the Minister of the environment, then chief of the Chancellor’s office and is a far-traveled man. But in Egypt, Altmaier was never. The 60-year-old politician is an avid Amateur historian, and also about the ancient Egyptians he knows a lot. Because the obligation comes to his appointment of the visit of the pyramids of Giza, determined just at the right time.
Precarious Human Rights Situation
But otherwise, Altmaier, before three more difficult days. Among other things, he is. the country’s President Abdel Al-Sisi meeting, will be made for the precarious situation of human rights in the 100-million-inhabitants country on the Nile is responsible Eight years after the Arab spring, the security forces of the country with the big hardness against critics of the regime, especially against the Islamist Muslim brotherhood, but also against minorities such as homosexuals.
To have good contacts to the German Egypt’s controversial power interested in: commander-in-chief Al-Sisi last autumn in Berlin
On the other hand, Germany has an interest in a stable Egypt, which maintains good contacts with the West and, in the case of refugee policy, is willing to cooperate. In fact, no longer functioning States, there are in the Region of enough. How difficult is the balancing act between people can be right and Realpolitik, showed the example of one of the predecessors of Altmaier in the office of the Minister of economy, Sigmar Gabriel of the SPD. The was three years ago in Cairo and praised the controversial President with the words, he was “impressive”. This was not in the German homeland.
Visit of the new Coptic Cathedral
“Egypt is our most important Partner for the stability of the whole region,” summarizes Altmaier. And adds: “I will appeal to my trip, topics such as the rule of law and corruption, but also the freedom of religion.” For example, the visit to the new, large Coptic Cathedral “birth of Christ” to the program, in the beginning of the year, in the presence of Al-Sisi’s first to the Coptic Christmas was celebrated. But the Copts are in Egypt, also, again and again the victims of Islamist Terror. Since 2016, more than 100 people were killed.
190 Companies, 35,000 Employees
Altmaier is accompanied by a large business delegation to Egypt. Among other things, he visited one of the large Siemens Gas-power plants that together supply according to the group of up to 40 million people with electricity. Altmaier will also speak with students of the vocational training centre, Siemens operates together with the German society for International cooperation (GIZ).
Offers space for up to 8000 of the faithful: The new Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, here still under construction
For Egypt, Germany, is an immensely important economic partner. According to the German chamber of industry and Commerce day (DIHK) are approximately represented 190 German companies in Egypt, about 35,000 people to deal with. DIHK chief Executive Martin Wansleben is involved on the trip. He complains still major bureaucratic hurdles for foreign companies in Egypt: “time-Consuming registration waiting have obligations for German companies in Egypt times up to 1000 days.” Egyptian members of the government, where these issues can be communicated, meets Altmaier enough: He speaks with the Minister of Oil and mineral resources, with the Minister for tourism, Minister for trade and industry, and also with Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly. This shows the importance of the Egyptians to the partners from Europe.