iran, 30.01.2018
The AIITC Academy of Peoples and Culture organized its 11th meeting on “Egypt’s Cultural Heritage and Its Importance in Tourism Development”, at the Jaco Imperial Hotel, where the Ambassador of the Republic of Egypt was invited, z. Mohamed Khalil. Representatives of various embassies, representatives of embassies accredited in Tirana, students, intellectuals and heads of tourist agencies attended the meeting.
In his opening speech, the Director of AIITC, prof. either. dr. Ramiz Zekaj emphasized that the relations of the Albanian people with Egypt date back to 1800, with Mehmet Ali Pasha, followed by his sons, also known as the founders of the modern Egyptian state. Although the rule of the Egyptian dynasty of Egypt would end in 1952, Albanian relations with Egypt would not be severed in many areas. The first steps of the National Renaissance were taken in Egypt, where Albanian activists born there, or who had emigrated in time, would become pioneers of the patriotic movement, developing a dense activity in promoting Albanian culture and literature.
Even during the Communist regime, diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries were maintained. After the 1990s, the Albanian state has signed with the Egyptian one no less than 16 cooperation agreements in various fields of common interest, which have contributed to the consolidation of relations between the two states.
For his part, Ambassador Mohamed Khalil focused on two issues, presenting Egypt’s economic and tourist development and bilateral Egypt-Albania relations. As for economic development, he stressed that Egypt is one of the largest and most resource-rich countries in the Middle East. Thanks to its extremely favorable climate and geographical position, Egypt competes worthily among the most beautiful tourist sites. In addition, the site represents one of the largest World Heritage Cradles, with pyramids and other antiquity monuments, which make up 1/3 of the world’s cultural heritage. He called Egypt the land of the prophets and a country that with its historical institutions, such as Al Az′har University, conveys the true values of Islam.
While in his position as ambassador, Mr. Khalil stressed that he has sought to intensify relations between the two countries by implementing a number of bilateral projects such as the drafting of a maritime transport agreement, the resumption of Tirana-Sharm el-Sheikh charter trips or participation at intercultural festivals between the two countries.
At the end of the Egyptian Ambassador’s speech, attendees had the opportunity to talk to him, asking many questions, especially on the relations between the two countries in the field of culture and tourism. They came up with the idea of publishing in Albanian some important Egyptian works as well as bringing to Albania an Egyptian folk ensemble. For his part Mr. The ambassador said that he is making efforts to bring the representative of the Egyptian Nobel writer Najib Mahfudh to Albania.
At the end of the meeting the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AIITC, formerly Ambassador of Albania to Egypt (1993 – 1997), Dr. Faruk Borova thanked the Egyptian ambassador for accepting the invitation from the AIITC Academy “Peoples and Culture” to be a guest in its 11th edition. Having awarded Mr. Khalil the Certificate of Appreciation from the Institute, he thanked the attendees for the participation and invited them to attend the cocktail talks prepared for the occasion.