The European Parliament released a statement Thursday condemning human right breaches in Egypt, China, and Iran, pointing to Egypt’s arrest and release of Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights staff members and the suspension of the investigation into the death of Italian student Giulio Regeni. The Egyptian Senate responded with a strongly worded statement of its own, accusing the European Parliament of bias, superficiality and of using human rights as a pretext to interfere in Egypt’s affairs.

IN DIPLOMACY: Egypt, US ink refinery financing pact: Egypt has signed two agreements with the US Trade and Development Agency worth USD 1.4 mn to conduct feasibility studies to develop the refineries.of the Amreya Petroleum Refining Company and the Suez Oil Processing Company, a cabinet statement said on Friday.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS- Trade Minister Nevine Gamea discussed ongoing trade talks with the Eurasian Economic Union in a meeting on Thursday with the Eurasian Economic Commission’s Andrey Slepnev. Meanwhile, International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat chaired a government meeting on the shift away from Libor and its effect on Egypt.

PEACE PROCESSES- President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed yesterday the situation in Palestine with Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki and Jordan’s deputy PM, while General Intelligence chief Abbas Kamel met with Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi yesterday to reiterate Egypt’s support for the 5+5 joint military committee and the ceasefire between Libyan factions.