São Paulo – Egypt celebrated on Tuesday (23) the 72nd anniversary of its National Day and 100 years of diplomatic relations with Brazil with a reception at its embassy in Brasília. Ambassador Mai Taha Khalil welcomed government officials, diplomats, journalists, and friends. Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) foreign relations vice president Mohamad Mourad attended.
In a press statement, the embassy stressed the similarities between Brazil and Egypt, including their remarkable ion for the arts and music, appreciation of history and historical heritage and their contribution towards the modernization and development, and the richness of regional arts. Both countries have played leading roles in their regions in the defense of peace, security, economic prosperity, and the interests of developing countries and South nations, the embassy said.
Among other examples, the embassy says the position of the two countries endorses multiculturalism, international law, and United Nations-based rules, and that Brazil and Egypt strive to defend peace and security and play active roles in solving conflicts. The embassy also highlighted the relevance of such positions from Brazil and Egypt at the present international moment, with so many global crises reaching several fronts at once.
Egypt, the embassy says, adds its voice to Brazil’s for an immediate, substantial reform of global governance and strongly condemns the ongoing atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The embassy says Egypt also welcomes and endorses Brazil’s efforts to reach a peaceful solution for the ongoing international conflicts like the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Egypt at G20
At a moment of celebration of the diplomatic relations, the embassy highlights its country’s gratitude to the Brazilian G20 presidency, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the entire Brazilian government for the invitation to participate in all activities related to the G20 this year and their tireless effort. The embassy says the Arab country fully endorses the priorities of this year’s Brazilian presidency at G20 and the relevance of the call to create a global alliance to fight poverty.
The embassy underscores recent facts of Brazil-Egypt relations like the visit from President Lula to Cairo in February and the trade growth towards new areas, capitalizing on the Egypt-Mercosur cooperation – as the African state has a free trade agreement with the bloc – but says economic relations are still below expectations and their potential, adding economic cooperation needs to improve beyond trade in goods to boost investment, a diversified technical cooperation and technology transfer. According to the embassy, Brazil-Egypt military cooperation has also made significant strides.
Direct flight
The embassy adds an agreement to launch a regular Cairo-São Paulo nonstop flight has been concluded, and logistical preparations for it are now under the civil aviation authorities of both sides for it to be launched later this year. The embassy believes the route will drive a positive change in bilateral relations, not just in culture tourism but also across all economic aspects like trade, industry, and mutual investments, adding that a series of cultural and artistic events are planned to coincide with the expected flight launch in leading Brazilian cities to bring the Egyptian culture and history closer to the Brazilian people.
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Translated by Guilherme Miranda
