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V O L .1 E L I T E ISSUE 72

If developed as an optimal regional hub, it Q5: As a member of the Board of Trustees of the
could add 20% to Egypt’s economy.” Egyptian-Chinese Businessmen Association,
From this experience, I realized that the which sectors should Egypt focus on to enhance
European Union took this step because its cooperation with China?
direct interests were closely linked to the Relations with China are not conventional ones.
Mediterranean, and it was keen to ensure that Today, China has emerged as a major global
peace was accompanied by economic and trade
pole and stands as the principal rival to the
stability in the region.
United States, particularly in light of its
This marked the beginning of my engagement
remarkable successes in the fields of economy,
with the European Union, which reached its
trade, industry, space, semiconductors, and
peak in 1995 when the EU announced the
artificial intelligence. This makes it essential that
Barcelona Declaration. This was a major
the management of relations with China be
strategic step towards establishing a new type of
grounded in mutual interests, so that Egypt
relationship between the EU and the Eastern
Mediterranean countries, especially those does not become merely a passive recipient of
involved in the peace process. Chinese gains.
The declaration was built on two pillars: a At the same time, I believe special priority
vertical axis between the EU and the should be given in our relations with China to
Mediterranean countries, and a horizontal axis the indigenization of technology, particularly in
among the Mediterranean states themselves. the areas of industry, energy, climate change,
The two axes were meant to converge into what and beyond. Such cooperation, however, must
would become the largest free trade zone in the proceed with utmost precision and caution, so
world. as to avoid any damage to Egypt’s relations
Although the initiative appeared primarily with other states especially the United States
economic and trade-oriented, it carried while ensuring that mutual benefits are achieved
significant political implications, granting the between the two countries without conflicting
EU strategic weight and enabling it to compete
with Egypt’s broader strategic interests with
on the international stage.
other partners.
intelligence. This makes it essential that the
Q6: As a personal envoy of former Egyptian
management of relations with China be
President Adly Mansour and current President
grounded in mutual interests, so that Egypt
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Africa, what are Egypt’s
does not become merely a passive recipient of
efforts to strengthen its cooperation with the
Chinese gains.
African continent? And how can Egypt utilize
At the same time, I believe special priority
should be given in our relations with China to cultural diplomacy to achieve this?
the indigenization of technology, particularly in The file of relations with Africa is of utmost
the areas of industry, energy, climate change, importance and requires an entirely different
and beyond. Such cooperation, however, must approach to its management. Egypt’s ties with
proceed with utmost precision and caution, so the continent remain, to a large extent, captive
as to avoid any damage to Egypt’s relations to the past, despite the fact that Egypt today
with other states especially the United States possesses highly significant capabilities that
while ensuring that mutual benefits are achieved Africa urgently needs. Egypt has accumulated
between the two countries without conflicting wide experience in economic reform, industrial
with Egypt’s broader strategic interests with development, and notable achievements in
other partners. agriculture, energy, water, and beyond, in
addition to a successful environmental
experience that can be further built upon.
Moreover, I see a pressing need to expand the
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cultural dimension through soft power, yet with
a renewed vision that blends this soft power,