OPEN//First Lady greets Egyptians, Arab, Islamic nations on Eid Al-Adha
"On these blessed days, it gives me pleasure to extend my heartfelt greetings to our honorable people, as well as to the Arab and Islamic nations, on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. I pray to Allah the Almighty to return this blessed occasion to us all with good health and tranquility, and to bring hope and prosperity to every home" she tweeted on her social media accounts.
"May Allah the Almighty accept our righteous deeds and fill your days with joy, granting you peace and security in all your celebrations", she added. (MENA)
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Egypt Independent
11 minutes ago
- Egypt Independent
In exclusive interview, Pakistan's ambassador to Cairo talks relations with Egypt, Cairo's role in halting the Gaza war, and situation with India
In an exclusive interview, Pakistan's ambassador to Cairo, Amir Shouket, stated that his nation appreciates the role Egypt has played in halting the war on the Gaza Strip. He noted that Egypt was among the first countries to recognize Pakistan, and the two countries exchanged resident ambassadors in 1948. Pakistan views Egypt as a country of great importance in the Middle East and the Islamic world. He also warned that the conflict in Kashmir will remain as a source of tension between India and Pakistan. Interview How do you view relations between Egypt and Pakistan, politically and economically? Relations between Pakistan and Egypt are feature common bonds of faith, cultural affinities and similar views towards regional and international issues. Egypt was among the first countries to recognize Pakistan and the two countries exchanged resident Ambassadors in 1948. Pakistan views Egypt as a significantly important country in the Middle East as well as in the Islamic world; Pakistan and Egypt are also both members of OIC, and D-8. In relatively recent history, Pakistan's national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal visited Egypt (Alexandria and Cairo) in 1931. During his visit, he met the Egyptian intelligentsia, religious and political leaders as well as student leaders. Later in 1946, the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the First Prime Minister of Pakistan visited Egypt and met with Egyptian political leaders and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. In subsequent years, Presidents from Egypt and Pakistan, Prime Ministers from Pakistan and Ministers from both countries paid several visits. It is encouraging that the leadership of our two countries met during the recent years and reaffirmed their mutual desire to transform the existing bilateral relationship into a strong partnership to benefit of peoples of our two brotherly countries. We are eagerly waiting for the visit of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Pakistan. Egypt is a gateway to Africa. Pakistan is gateway to Central Asia. There is immense scope, potential and mutual desire of the leadership of these two countries to capitalize this potential and geo-strategic location to significantly enhance the existing volume of bilateral trade for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. What is the volume of trade between the two countries, and what are the ways to increase it? Bilateral trade, which usually hovered around US$200-300 million, jumped to around $605 million in 2022 following a spike in imports of mineral fuels from Egypt, before it declined due to global economic conditions. There are a number of areas in which both countries can enhance their cooperation, such as science and technology, information technology, tourism and housing. In September 2023, the Pakistan-Egypt Business Opportunities Conference was organized by the Embassy in collaboration with Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce. Almost 150 delegates from Pakistan participated in the Conference. Pakistan also organized the Fourth Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference and Single Country Exhibition in Egypt at Cairo in January 2024. The existing bilateral consultation system between Pakistan and Egypt consists of a Joint Ministerial Committee that covers a range of diverse avenues of cooperation including bilateral trade. Recently, frequent interactions between DPM/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar & Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Abdelatty have further strengthened the mutual desire to consolidate the existing mechanism of cooperation particularly enhancement in bilateral trade between Pakistan and Egypt. There is immense potential for investments in textile sector, sports goods, real estate, tourism and hospitality sector, mining sector waiting to be capitalized by both the countries. Since the past two years, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has offered one window swift facilitation for foreign investors in Pakistan. Additionally, the simplification of VISA regime for 126 countries, including Egypt, offers Pakistan as an ideal avenue for investment. Apart from these incentives there is huge potential for investment in agriculture, clean energy sectors of Pakistan. Information Technology and software development sectors have witnessed phenomenal increase in return on investments for prospective investors. With approximately 700,000 IT workforce members and 60 percent of the population being young, Pakistan is poised to produce more engineers and developers in the IT sector. In your opinion, what is Pakistan's view of Egypt's role in stopping the war on Gaza, and is the idea of normalization with Israel impossible? Regarding Gaza, Egypt and Pakistan have pushed for ceasefire right from the beginning. Both countries share an identical stance on the Gaza and Palestine issue at numerous regional and multilateral forums. Pakistan is closely supporting provision of humanitarian assistance for the residents of Gaza in active collaboration and cooperation with Egypt. On a solution for the Gaza catastrophe, Pakistan is fully aligned with Egypt. We highly value Egypt's pivotal role in containing Israel's aggression and continuously engaging all the stake-holders to find a permanent and lasting solution to the conflict. Is the situation with India currently calm, and what is the solution to end the tension? Pakistan adheres to the ceasefire with India agreed after the intervention of President Trump. We welcome President Trump's statements regarding the threat posed by unprovoked recent Indian aggression against Pakistan, and his intent to mediate on Kashmir dispute. Pakistan has historically maintained its legitimate and decades old principled stance that Kashmir dispute should be resolved by fully implementing the relevant UNSC resolutions and in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of people of Kashmir. Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of the partition of the sub-continent and UNSC. This dispute will remain one of the central issues behind tension between Pakistan and India. The other issue is the Indus Water Treaty which can trigger escalation between two nuclear states at any time. How did Pakistan defeat India in its last war? Pakistan believes in peaceful neighborhood, regional peace and development, and prosperity for the residents of more than a billion people in South Asia. We respect sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of all other states, and do not harbor nefarious designs against any regional state. However, we maintain minimum credible deterrence for preserving strategic balance in South Asia. The unprovoked Indian aggression, despite Pakistan's consistent offer to investigate the Pahalgam terror attack, enlisting international state(s) supported by credible evidence was outright rejected by India. Still, Pakistan responded in a measured, mature and firm manner without targeting civilian installations. Our Air warriors did not leave Indian birds, who launched missiles targeting innocent civilians, to see light of the next day. Through indigenous technology harmoniously employed throughout the conflict, Pakistan proved its superiority in the face of naked Indian aggression. Above all, the resolve of the entire nation reinvigorated the spirit of Pakistan Armed Forces towards a decisive victory. How do you view the Iran-Israel war? Pakistan is non-permanent member of United Nations Security Council. Our permanent representative in the UN requested urgent meeting at UNSC at the outset of Iran-Israel war. We have clearly and unequivocally termed the Israeli attack on nuclear facilities in Iran as illegitimate. These facilities are under the safeguards of UN. Therefore, Israel's aggression is highly condemnable and dangerous for regional stability. Pakistan is in favor of dialogue and diplomacy. We've seen Pakistan announce its support for Iran. What form will this support take, and will it arm Tehran? Pakistan supports Iran diplomatically, politically and as a brotherly neighboring country. Our DPM/Foreign Minister had categorically rejected fake news and misinformation manufactured regarding Pakistan's arms support to Iran. Why did Pakistan close its border with Iran amid the escalation with Israel? We did not close our borders with Iran. However, we established the monitoring mechanism on our border crossings with Iran in view of presence of Pakistan's Zaireen and students who were stranded in Iran after the Israeli aggression. What message you would like to give on the Independence Day of Pakistan this year? This year, Independence Day is being observed with a unique, illustrious stature as witnessed by the entire global community where Pakistan beams brilliantly after inflicting a well resonated, firm response to the aggression during the glorious Operation 'Bunyan Al-Marsoos'. We bow our heads in respect and express infinite gratitude to Almighty Allah for enabling us to defend our motherland, and defying hardly the ill-fated attempt of establishing a new normal in South Asia, in a manner never witnessed in our history. I express my profound admiration for small but dynamic Pakistan community in Egypt for their good work towards consolidating existing bond of friendship between the two brotherly countries. While we commemorate this significantly special Independence Day, we should not forget our brothers and sisters in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine. They are subjected to oppression and worst kind of human rights abuses. Still, they are upholding the spirit of freedom alive. Peace in South Asia and the Middle East will remain elusive till the resolution of these two decades old promised issues by the United Nations relevant resolutions, and in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris and Palestinians. We remain steadfast in raising our voice for Palestinians and for the Kashmiris' right to self-determination.
Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
FM, Singaporean counterpart assert depth of bilateral relations
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty asserted the strength and depth of relations between Egypt and Singapore. He made the remarks during a phone call which he received on Saturday from Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. The call came as part of continued coordination and dialogue between the two nations and their mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral ties. Abdelatty noted the increasing momentum in Egypt-Singapore relations, particularly reflected in high-level visits and engagements. He highlighted the upcoming visit of the Singaporean president to Egypt, which will coincide with celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He emphasized that Egypt was the first Arab nation to establish diplomatic ties with Singapore, underscoring the historic and strategic nature of the relationship. The minister stressed the importance of expanding investment and trade cooperation, especially given Egypt's ongoing development boom. He noted that Singapore is currently the fifth-largest foreign investor in Egypt, reflecting the strong confidence of the Singaporean business community in Egypt's economy. On regional developments, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's firm position on the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, stressing the importance of ending bloodshed and ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population suffering from dire conditions as a result of Israel's deliberate policy of starvation. He called for immediate international action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis and to apply pressure on the Israeli government to guarantee safe, sustained humanitarian access and to open all crossings into the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty asserted the necessity of advancing toward a credible political horizon that leads to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian cause, securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination.
Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Egypt reaffirms rejection of escalation in Gaza, decries ‘Greater Israel' statements
CAIRO, Aug 15 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's categorical rejection of the ongoing Israeli military escalation in Gaza, the recent expansion of settlement activity in the West Bank, and inflammatory statements advocating the so-called 'Greater Israel.' He stressed that such actions only serve to inflame tensions, escalate conflict, and undermine regional stability. The remarks came during a phone call on Friday between Abdelatty and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The phone call was held in line with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's directives to intensify international efforts toward securing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating urgent humanitarian assistance. They engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the latest political, security, and humanitarian developments in the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty stressed the urgent need to establish a credible political horizon that paves the way for a just and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue, one that ensures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire and underscored the need for stronger international engagement, particularly from the European Union (EU), to help end hostilities and guarantee the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. He placed full responsibility on Israel, as the occupying power, for keeping Gaza's five border crossings closed, calling for their immediate reopening and the removal of all obstacles hindering the flow of urgent humanitarian and medical assistance, measures he described as contributing to a deliberate policy of starvation. During the phone call, Abdelatty briefed the EU official on Egypt's intensive efforts, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, to reach a comprehensive agreement ensuring a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and a hostage-prisoner swap, involving the release of hostages and a number of Palestinian detainees. The call also addressed Egypt's preparations to host an international conference in Cairo on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, set to take place immediately after a ceasefire is achieved. The conference is being organized in coordination with regional and international partners, including the EU. For her part, the EU high representative praised Egypt's sustained efforts to de-escalate the situation and secure a ceasefire, as well as its key role in alleviating the unbearable suffering of the Palestinian people by facilitating the delivery of aid. She expressed the EU's readiness to participate in the Gaza reconstruction conference and work closely with Egypt to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and the success of efforts exerted to achieve a ceasefire. (MENA)
