Danish Ambassador to Cairo Tomas Anker Christensen stressed that Egypt is a significant partner for Denmark and the whole Europe as well.
In a round table interview with a number of Egyptian reporters, Christensen said that Egyptian-Danish relations have witnessed a notable development over the last years, especially in political, cultural, and trade fields as well as cooperation in the sectors of renewable energy, food, water, health and climate change.
“I took over my duties as Denmark ambassador to Egypt 10 months ago,” he said, confirming that his country supports Egypt’s stability, freedom of expression, human rights and its presidency of the African Union (AU).
Bilateral Cooperation in Energy Sector
"The availability of solar and wind power in Egypt makes it a potential renewable energy leader," the Danish ambassador said, adding that plans and laws to pave the way for companies around the world in this regard are required.
“In Denmark, we generate about 60% of our energy from wind. Egypt has a very ambitious programme to generate more than 43% of its energy from renewables by 2035,” he added.
“There are ongoing discussions with Egypt’s electricity ministry to develop an effective cooperation form between both sides in the energy sector,” the diplomat said.
Moreover, Christensen revealed that a Danish special envoy for energy will visit Cairo soon to discuss the available opportunities in order to support renewable energy projects in Egypt, through bringing Danish experts to Cairo, holding workshops to benefit from Danish expertise in terms of wind and renewable energy.
Danish Investments in Egypt
The diplomat revealed that Danish investments in Egypt reached $1 billion in the past 3 years, adding that the Copenhagen-based Maersk company specialized in transport and energy holds $850 million of these investments.
“Egypt is a significant market, as well as a strategic gateway to Africa,” Christensen said. “Danish investments funds like AP Moller Capital and Investeringsfonden for udviklingslande (IFU) are actively eyeing new opportunities to invest in Egypt as part of their Africa infrastructure fund.”
Moreover, he noted that IFU owns 10% stake in Benban solar park, which is considered as the largest of its kind in the whole world and located in Aswan. “IFU has also invested in Aller Aqua fish feed company, which is an Egyptian Danish joint venture.”
Fields of Cooperation Between Cairo and Copenhagen
The Danish official noted that Egypt and Denmark are enjoying joint cooperation in various fields including: transport, logistics, energy, feeding, agriculture, water, environment and health care.
“An agriculture delegation visited Egypt last June, and met with a galaxy of senior officials including: Chairman of Suez Canal authority vice admiral Mohab Mamish,” he said. “They were very impressed by Egypt’s potentials, stressing that Egypt is not only an attractive destination for investments but also a gateway to expand in Africa.”
Expected Mutual Visits Between Egypt and Denmark
Christensen said that Danish health and food delegations will visit Egypt this year.
Moreover, the diplomat revealed that an Egyptian health delegation specialized in the field of diabetes treatment will visit Denmark at the end of August, in cooperation with the Novo Nordisk, which is one of the biggest Danish companies in health care. "It has a very big market share in Egypt."
He also expected that new Denmark Energy Minister Dan Jørgensen and Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod would visit Egypt in the coming period.
Religious Freedom in Egypt
The Danish ambassador also mentioned that he is very impressed by Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s way in dealing with religious freedom issues, as well as the inauguration of the largest church and mosque in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).
"The Egyptian government has taken many steps to protect all religious groups in Egypt," Christensen stressed.
“I have met with a number of Egyptian religious figures including: Al-Azhar Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed El-Tayyeb and Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark Pope Tawadros II, in addition to Jews living in Egypt, and head of Evangelical church,” he said.
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