Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to be here today for the launch of the THAMM+ Programme.

Let me start by extending my sincere appreciation to Assistant Deputy Minister Wael Badawi and all the esteemed representatives from the Egyptian institutions present here today. Your dedication and hard work are key to our partnership.

Egypt and the EU strengthened our relationship by signing a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. It was a big step—Egypt was the first neighbouring country with whom the EU signed such a partnership. And in the months that have passed, we have translated that signature into concrete actions in many practical ways.

We held a hugely successful investment conference, attracting 700 European companies and 2,500 Egyptian companies, leading to agreements worth over €60 billion. As part of this package, €1.7 billion in investment guarantees will go a long way in easing access to Egypt for companies that will create new jobs.

I mention this to provide context for the programme on mobility that we are launching today—because we are entering a whole new level of cooperation.

At the core of our partnership are people—young and old. People who want jobs and need the right qualifications to match the demands of the labour market. This is what the programme is all about.

The THAMM+ Programme works at different levels.

It will help upgrade individuals' qualifications. From the outset, the programme is expected to support the employability of approximately 1,500 individuals across Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia—with around 500 beneficiaries in Egypt alone. Of these, roughly 200 are expected to be placed in training or employment opportunities in Germany.

This is significant for each individual, but perhaps even more important is the programme’s role in strengthening institutional capacities—supporting digital tools for mobility management, pre-departure training for prospective workers, skills assessments, and partnerships with key actors in the labour mobility ecosystem. These efforts will allow us to scale mobility schemes in the future.

But this initiative goes beyond mobility. It is about expanding access to high-quality professional pathways, responding effectively to evolving labour market needs, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.

THAMM+ exemplifies the Team Europe approach, bringing together the Government of Egypt, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the German Cooperation (GIZ), and the Italian Cooperation (AICS).

Through this initiative, we aim to:

• Enable individuals to access new professional and economic opportunities,
• Foster stronger partnerships between Egypt and Europe, and
• Enhance cooperation on international mobility, ensuring a fair and effective approach.

The esteemed partners gathered here today play a crucial role in ensuring that THAMM+ is implemented in a coherent and demand-driven manner, making the best use of each stakeholder’s strengths. Today’s discussions will provide an opportunity to refine our approaches and ensure alignment with Egypt’s national priorities.

As we move forward, the European Union remains fully committed to deepening our cooperation with Egypt.

The Talent Partnership between the EU and Egypt is a powerful example of how cooperation can drive economic growth and professional development. By focusing on matching skills with labour market needs, we are fostering long-term prosperity for both sides.

Thank you.