Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and his Albanian counterpart Edi Rama held a meeting on Saturday in Egypt, where both sides tackled the ways of enhancing the bilateral relations, said the Egyptian cabinet in a statement released published by local media on Sunday.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and his delegation are on an official two-day visit to Cairo for signing a number of memoranda of understanding and cooperation protocols in cultural fields.
The two Prime Ministers witnessed a signing of three cooperation documents: Executive Program for Cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Albanian Ministry of Culture; Protocol for Cooperation between the Egyptian General Book Organization and the Albanian Ministry of Culture; a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Field of Museums between the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Albanian National History Museum.
During the meeting, the Egyptian Prime Minister praised the level of the bilateral relations which will be reflected in the first meeting of the Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation due to be held in the Albanian capital, Tirana, in November 2021, the statement said.
He hoped that a clear action plan will emerge from the upcoming meeting to enhance cooperation between the two sides during the next stage.
Madbouli also tackled Egypt’s expertise in infrastructure, energy, transportation, electricity, and natural gas, besides the Egyptian government’s efforts in achieving a decent life for the Egyptian citizens.
In addition to this, Madbouli expressed his hope that the bilateral relations would result in the establishment of a joint Egyptian-Albanian business council between the Egyptian Businessmen Association and the Albanian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He also stressed the importance of encouraging Egyptian and Albanian companies to participate in trade fairs held in both countries.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his deep thanks for the hospitality, and for his meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, stressing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of agriculture, livestock, water, culture, education, and others.
Rama voiced his aspiration to operate a direct flight between Cairo and Tirana, in light of the successes witnessed by airlines in the Albanian market. He also expressed his aspiration to benefit from the Egyptian experience in organizing exhibitions, hosting cultural events, and Egypt’s participation in Exhibitions organized in Albania.
After talking about operating direct flights between the two countries, Madbouli directed the government to study the Albanian side’s proposal and to develop a clear vision for it in the near future.
The Albanian delegation includes the Ministers of Interior and Culture. The visit will also include a tour of the most important national projects implemented by the Egyptian state.
In the meantime Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss bilateral relations and joint cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting at the Ittihadeya Presidential Palace touched on topics such as economic cooperation, increasing trade exchange and enhancing mutual investments in various sectors.
Egyptian presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady said that President Sisi welcomed the Albanian Prime Minister and expressing his country’s pride in the friendship and historical ties between both nations.
Egypt seeks to expand its cooperation with Albania in various areas, he said.
Rady added that Sisi congratulated Albania for obtaining a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023, and appreciated how both countries are harmonized in their visions on most regional and international issues, as well as positive coordination in various international forums.
Sisi discussed the importance of regular political consultation with Albania during its tenure in the UN Security Council.
The Albanian Prime Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to President Sisi, stressing the strength of the historical ties between the two friendly countries.
He expressed his country’s aspiration to advance bilateral cooperation with Egypt in all fields, especially in light of Egypt’s tireless efforts to maintain international peace and security, as well as the pivotal role that Egypt plays at the regional level in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea basin.
The Albanian Prime Minister said he was eage to follow-up the unprecedented development efforts that Egypt is witnessing under the leadership of President Sisi, in recent years, and his country’s interest in benefiting from the inspiring Egyptian experiences in this context to apply them in Albania. / Argumentum.al
