Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has flown to Egypt to discuss climate, migration and the war in Ukraine, DR reports.
In a change of policy, however, she will not officially bring up the North African country’s shaky relationship with human rights and democracy.
Although Egypt is a dictatorship, the government considers it an invaluable business partner and has therefore decided to leave any moralizing aside.
“We want to build a much closer bond with North Africa – both bilaterally and through the EU,” comments the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Change in the heart
This visit follows the changes made in January to the government’s foreign and security policy strategy, which can be found here.
North Africa was mentioned as an area deserving of special attention, particularly with regard to migration.
The government declared its intention to:
1) Strengthen the political dialogue with the countries in North Africa.
2) Strengthen trade and develop trade relations between the EU and the countries in North Africa.
3) Strengthen its commitment to development policy.
End of an era?
The new policy statement may mark the end of the government’s activist foreign policy.
This is a direct response to an unstable global situation where powers such as China and Russia have increased efforts to dominate the geopolitical stage.
“Things are going so fast in the world right now that if Europe doesn’t get ahead of that development, we risk losing international influence,” said Frederiksen.
“We also run the risk of some things going against us because the world is currently in some ways moving in the wrong direction.”
Source: The Nordic Page