The trajectory of the traditional friendship between Albania and Egypt since the beginning of 1880s with Mohamed Ali Pasha, the Albanian ruler who was the founder of modern Egypt until now is an exemplary relationship between the people of two countries being gateways to their respective regions, Africa and Western Balkans, to serve their direct bilateral ties and beyond. This was how the Egyptian Ambassador to Albania, Mohamed Heider described the strength of the links between the two countries in an exclusive interview with Albania Daily News. “Their constructive cooperation and coordination remain always needed as they both adopt same approaches and likeminded strategies towards many of these pressing challenges,” said Cairo’s top envoy to Tirana.

The Ambassador stressed that ‘the active Albanian community in Egypt’ constitutes links between Egypt and Albania. ‘I feel very delighted when I meet Albanian friends who inform me that their grandparents lived in Egypt. I feel that there is more awareness about this  historic Albanian presence in Egypt, than it is in Albania, that’s why we will be working on exploring more about the Albanian diaspora in Egypt and their contribution in specific fields, as literature to learn more  about this heritage that binds both countries and brings their peoples closer,” he said.   

During the conversation, the Ambassador touched upon the special place that exchanges in art, culture, literature and other relevant aspects between the two countries and people take, and was pleased with the achievements accomplished lately where the first Egyptian cultural week took place in Albania last year, and the second will be in September 2023.

“Egypt was privileged to host COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh last November, which was the biggest event to address the climate changes. It was highly successful conference attended by 120 Heads of States and Governments and 66 thousand participants from all backgrounds representing the international community and the civil society,” said the Ambassador, who pointed out that COP27 took place after series of devastating floods, hurricanes, catastrophes that caused deforestation in various places in the world.

Answering a question on the Middle East, Mr. Heider said that it is a highly complex region and the current situation is facing crucial and challenging junctures. “The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has raged on for more than 70 years without any horizon of a near solution. With the last developments on the ground as unilateral procedures, provocations and escalation of violence, things tend to be even more vulnerable and volatile,” said the Egyptian Ambassador to Albania, Mohamed Heider in the following interview:

Albanian Daily News: Mr. Ambassador the leaderships of both Albania and Egypt praise the traditional friendship between the two countries and people. In what aspects is this expressed concretely and are there untapped potentials to take them to a higher level politically and economically?      

Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Heider: The traditional friendship between both countries have strong historic grounds and started in 1805 with Mohamed Ali Pasha, the Albanian ruler who was the founder of modern Egypt and his family’s rule until 1952, where also an Albanian community has fully engaged in the Egyptian society.

This friendship is clearly expressed by the excellent political relations between Egypt and Albania and their exemplar cooperation in regional and international forums. Both countries adopt wise and mature policies as promoters for peace, stability and security in their respective regions and internationally to consolidate the rule of law and the settlement of conflicts peacefully. Therefore their constructive cooperation and coordination remain always needed as they both adopt same approaches and like-minded strategies towards many of these pressing challenges.

Egypt as a major country in the Middle East and with a long experience and active diplomacy will always be carrying the voice of Africa and the developing countries to address such challenges. In this respect and with such strong base for bilateral relations we believe there is always room to take the relations to other heights, in the fields of economy, trade agriculture, tourism and security benefiting from the unique geographic location of both countries, being gateways to their respective regions, Africa and Western Balkans respectively, to serve their direct bilateral relations and beyond.

- As a follow up, Your Excellency, which is the role played by the Albanian Diaspora in Egypt to promote the links between the two countries and the people-to-people exchanges?  

- As I mentioned, there was an active Albanian community in Egypt, during the rule of Mohamed Ali Pasha’s family. It was fully integrated in the society in all aspects. Most of them started to go back to Albania starting from the 20th century, where some had their positive contributions towards the declaration of independence. Those who stayed in Egypt are strongly rooted in the society but they will always constitute links between Egypt and Albania. A meeting was arranged for them during the visit of President Ilir Meta to Egypt in 2019. I feel very delighted when I meet Albanian friends who inform me that their grandparents lived in Egypt. I feel that there is more awareness about this  historic Albanian presence in Egypt, than it is in Albania, that’s why we will be working on exploring more about the Albanian diaspora in Egypt and their contribution in specific fields, as literature to learn more  about this heritage that binds both countries and brings their peoples closer.

A special place in the exchanges between the two countries and people takes art, culture, literature and other relevant aspects. What could you say on this field of cooperation being aware of the rich history and culture of Egypt which dates back thousands of years?

Among a broad spectrum of exchanges and cooperation between both countries, art, culture, literature and other relevant aspects have a special place indeed. The explanation of this is simple as both countries have a strong cultural dimension, based on their history, special geographical location, and their long interaction regionally and internationally.

This solid cultural component is a reflection of their unique, but also diverse identity. Albania should not be considered only as a Balkan country. It has a strong Mediterranean dimension, which clearly explains its rich and diverse culture and gives it a unique Albanian flavor.

Egypt being an African, Arab and Mediterranean country, having one of the oldest and most impressive civilizations, was also privileged with its great contributions to humanity.

Therefore it’s of no exaggeration at all, to refer Egypt’s soft power regionally and also internationally to its cultural strength. In this context, I believe that culture is a bridge between Albania and Egypt and their peoples, as this cultural interaction could perfectly serve to promote trade, tourism and business.  

I am very pleased with the achievements accomplished lately where the first Egyptian cultural week took place in Albania last year, and the second will be in September 2023, and with the participation of Albania for the first time in the Cairo book fair last January, the biggest and the eldest in the Middle East, and where also other activities are in process to boost our cultural exchanges.

- Both Albania and Egypt are part of the Union for the Mediterranean. What could you say on the contribution of Cairo and Tirana in the framework of this organization as well as on the cooperation in the framework of other international organizations on top of which the UN where Albania is a non-permanent member of the Security Council?

- The Union of the Mediterranean  (UFM) is entitled to promote  cooperation and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region through initiatives addressing strategic objectives of regional stability, human development and regional economic integration.

In this contest, and as previously related to the Mediterranean aspect as an integral part of the identity of both Egypt and Albania, their presence in the Union for Mediterranean is an added value to this organization, especially with its abovementioned strategic objects, that are fundamental objectives of both countries. The Mediterranean sphere is linking Egypt and Albania even more, as the Euro-Med approach by the European Union and specifically for the EU Mediterranean countries where Albania will be a member in the future, is of considerable interest and also with the EU putting weight on its European neighborhood policy (ENP) among which Egypt is one of its close Southern partners as a key element of its foreign policy focusing on stabilizing the region in political, economic and security terms.

In this perspective and as I previously mentioned, with Albania and Egypt adopting almost the same policies and visions towards most challenges, the potential for fruitful and constructive cooperation and coordination in regional and international organizations is promising.

Therefore it’s of no surprise the remarkable performance of Albania as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, and bearing this heavy responsibility in a period of unprecedented challenges resulting in a very well deserved appreciation and admiration for its sound and mature policies regionally and internationally.

-  Mr. Ambassador, Egypt hosted one of the most important International Conferences las year which is COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh. Could you kindly inform us about it?     

- Egypt was privileged to host COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh last November, which was the biggest event to address the climate changes. It was highly successful conference attended by 120 Heads of States and Governments and 66 thousand participants from all backgrounds representing the international community and the civil society.

COP27 took place after series of devastating floods, hurricanes, catastrophes that caused deforestation  in various places in the world, which resulted affecting the food production and is a real existential threat to mankind and to our planet if not faced with serious and immediate measures.

COP27 witnessed the launch of 17 initiatives across fields such as food, agriculture and water management in an effort to spur innovation an action that will help nations fulfill their climate commitments.

The conference was successful in confirming the responsibilities of all parties, and the necessity to move forward in facing the threat. A breakthrough has been reached by an agreement to provide loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries hit strongly by the climate disasters.

As Egyptian Presidency worked hard with the British Presidency after COP26 in Glasgow to guarantee the right preparation for COP27, it is carrying out its responsibilities and will be coordinating with the Emirati side for the coming COP28 in the United Arab Emirates this year.

- In the meantime Egypt is a major country in the Middle East. What could you say about the current situation in this region and which is the role played by Egyptian diplomacy to bring peace and stability in this highly strategic part of the world?    

- The Middle East is a highly complex region and the current situation is facing crucial and challenging junctures. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has raged on for more than 70 years without any horizon of a near solution. With the last developments on the ground as unilateral procedures, provocations and escalation of violence, things tend to be even more vulnerable and volatile.

More serious challenges are spread over the region in Syria, Libya Yemen etc. and concerns about issues of terrorism, energy supplies, illegal migration, refugees and nuclear proliferation are also present.

In this environment charged with mounting complications, the Egyptian diplomacy exerts its tireless efforts counting on its long accumulated experiences in handling such long standing issues in the region, through bilateral, regional and multilateral frameworks, tireless and close coordination with regional and international parties and allies in this regard.

Having said that, the Egyptian foreign policy is strongly welcomed for its professionality and expertise, maturity and also for its clear basic guidelines and principles, namely the full respect of the UN Charter and always resolving to promote the rule of law and peaceful settlements of conflicts. The Egyptian diplomacy while facing such challenges, which constitute a serious threat to its national security is also aware of the seriousness of such challenges and the possibility of its spilling over to Europe and other Regions.

On the other hand and among such a tense environment, a new variable is to be considered which is the recent agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran signed a few days ago. Egypt follows with interest this step, and hopes it will have a positive impact on the regional security and stability in the Middle East.

- As a follow up, Your Excellency, do you see any opportunities for an end of the bloody conflict between Palestine and Israel and how effective are the efforts of the US and the EU to find a peaceful solution to this endless war situation?

- We always have to be optimistic and looking towards a better future. I believe that no matter how gloomy things look, if there is a true will there will be a way to take considerable positive steps in this regard.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the greatest challenge  in the Middle East, and Egypt will always be a major supporter of the Palestinian people and working on helping both sides to reach a just and lasting peace based on the relevant UN Resolutions and the basis of two states solution. What is needed now is to work on paving the ground to relaunch the negotiations between both sides. The role of the US, EU and other powers is definitely important and we will continue the efforts to work and coordinate with partners and friends in this regard.

 On the other hand, it’s worth mentioning that the consecutive crises that the world has been facing lately as the Pandemic, the War in Ukraine and its effects on food and energy supply and other economic difficulties received  the most attention in relation to the pending conflicts.

For this reason and considering the negative alarming and deteriorating developments in the Palestinian territories lately, there is an urgent need to refocus on the conflict to avoid an explosion of the situation, which will not be of interest to anybody, and to try to get the stalled peace process back in track.

- The interest of Egypt in the Western Balkans is constant and given this, how do you see the latest developments in the region, particularly regarding the conflict between Kosovo and Serbia when efforts are being made by the EU and the US to mediate a peaceful solution?

- Egypt enjoys long historic relations with Western Balkans. It’s certainly a unique region with great political, economic and strategic potential. Talking about the Western Balkans, we can only praise and admire the role and vision of Albania and its leadership for the integration of this region, as a step towards full integration with the European Union. The recognition and the appreciation of this role of Albania granted Tirana the chance to be also the first, to host the EU-EB Summit on the 6th of December 2022, outside the EU and will also be hosting the first Berlin Process Summit on the 16th of October, 2023 outside Berlin.

This vision of Albania for regional integration backed by mega projects in the pipeline as the development of Durres port and Porto Romano and others will consolidate its status as a gateway to the whole of the region and beyond, which we see as an important bridge for us to the Western Balkans.

Having said this, and being aware of the historic heritage and complications in the region, it’s interesting to follow the latest developments particular those to resolve and reach the final settlement for the Serbia-Kosovo conflict based on the Franco-German Plan.

As a constant policy of Egypt, and based on its historic links and interests with the Western Balkans, Cairo fully supports all initiatives that the relevant parties accept and might lead to resolving this conflict and move the whole Region forward towards a better future.

- The war in Ukraine has entered its second year unfortunately without any signs of a near end of the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. The Middle East, like the Western Balkans and also Europe and beyond, feel the impact of the war, the first on European soil after the Second World War. What could you say, Your Excellency, on the perspective of a solution to end the war?

- The impact of the war on Egypt is huge. I would like to highlight that Egypt is the main importer of wheat in the world and 70% of its supply need to be from Russia and Ukraine, and 40% of the tourists to Egypt before 2022 used to come also from Russia and Ukraine.

Moreover, the impact of the war on other economic aspects as the food and energy supplies and prices, and the mounting oil prices and the difficulties by the financial sectors to handle the inflation and debt management. Egypt firmly believes the war should stop and the only way to resolve the conflict is by peaceful negotiations.

There is no doubt that the conflict is complicated and things are getting more difficult while entering the second year of the war without clear signs of a near solution, but as far as Egypt is concerned, this is the message that the Egyptian leadership is always carrying in its contacts with the relevant parties and is ready to exert all necessary efforts in this regard. Egypt’s position towards the war is firm and clear. Egypt calls for the war to stop and strongly believes that the only way to resolve this conflict is through peaceful negotiations and good offices to make it come to an end.