“I Am a Product of Egyptian-German Friendship”

Alexander Radwan: My Father Came from Egypt… and German University Graduates Will Build the Future of Our Partnership

For Dr. Alexander Radwan, Member of the German Bundestag and one of Germany’s leading voices on Middle Eastern affairs, Egypt is far more than a country he follows politically. It is part of his own story.

“My father came to Germany more than sixty years ago to study electrical engineering at the Technical University of Munich,” Radwan recalled. “The reason he stayed was my mother.” With a smile, he added that this personal journey gave him a lifelong connection with Egypt, describing himself as “a product of the friendship between Egypt and Germany.”

That deep personal bond was reflected throughout his meeting with Prof. Ashraf Mansour, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the German University in Cairo (GUC), where the discussion extended well beyond politics to the future of education, investment, and the enduring relationship between the two nations.

Radwan spoke warmly about his long-standing relationship with Prof. Mansour, noting that they have worked together for many years with one common goal: strengthening the bridge between Egypt and Germany through education, knowledge, and economic cooperation.

He described the German University in Cairo as one of the greatest success stories of bilateral cooperation, emphasizing that it is much more than a university. In his view, it is an institution that prepares generations capable of understanding both cultures and working confidently in both environments.

“The human dimension is just as important as the political one,” Radwan said. “Governments may change and political priorities may evolve, but friendship between peoples remains. That is the strongest foundation upon which lasting partnerships are built.”

Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly returned to the importance of investing in young people, stressing that education is the most valuable investment any nation can make. He argued that universities such as the German University in Cairo are preparing graduates who combine academic excellence, international outlook, language skills, and practical experience—qualities that will shape the future of Egyptian-German cooperation.

Despite discussing complex issues ranging from geopolitics to investment strategies, Radwan ended the conversation on a lighter note. Asked where he would invest if given the opportunity in Egypt, he smiled and replied without hesitation:

“I would invest in exporting Egyptian mangoes to Germany.”

He explained that Egypt produces some of the finest mangoes he has ever tasted, yet they are rarely available in German markets.

“In Germany, we can buy almost everything,” he said with a laugh, “except Egyptian mangoes.”

Behind the humorous remark was a serious message: Egypt possesses exceptional products, talented people, and enormous untapped potential. With stronger cooperation, better promotion, and deeper partnerships between the two countries, these strengths can reach not only Germany but markets around the world.

For Alexander Radwan, the future of Egyptian-German relations will not be built solely through political agreements. It will be built by people, by education, by universities such as the German University in Cairo, and by a new generation that understands both countries and believes in the value of partnership.