As an EU member, Sweden participates in the common trade policy of the European Union, which consists of 25 nations. In numerous international negotiations the EU acts as a single entity, represented by the European Commission. The main objective of the trade policy of the EU is to promote greater freedom of international trade.
For Sweden, which is strongly dependent on free markets for its products, it is essential to promote the opening of export markets all over the world such as Egypt.
Negotiations between the EU and Egypt for the conclusion of an Association Agreement started in 1995 and lasted four and a half years. The agreement was signed in 2001 by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, EU Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patten, as well as the foreign ministers of the 15 EU member countries at that time. The agreement entered into force 1 June 2004.
For additional information abou the EU–Egypt Association Agreement, please visit the web site of theEuropean Commission's Delegation to Egypt.