Madbouly: Competition from Other Regional Powers Does Not Worry Egypt

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that competition from other regional powers does not worry Egypt, which in fact tries not to compete in the belief that it complements the other countries of the Arab world.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly told Il Giornale that with Turkey, on the other hand, there is an attempt to normalize relations. “We understand Turkey's strength in the region, Cairo and Ankara have historic relations. But the problems of the last period are linked to Turkey's support for the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt is instead trying to eradicate."

This is also an opportunity to issue a warning to the EU, he said, adding: "The influence of the Muslim Brotherhood or any other extremist movement based on the idea of dividing society is a serious threat, also for Europe".

He said then there is the Sinai node: here Isis and other groups have been trying to destabilize the area for some time. "The extremists wanted to establish a caliphate, but the truth is that it is not a simple or conventional war. We have found widespread support from not just one group, but from professional bodies." One way to counter this is to fight poverty and the marginalization of young people, who otherwise embrace extremist ideologies.

"At the same time, Egypt invests in important projects, given the constant growth of the population: new cities are built and rural areas are modernized, investments are made in infrastructure and new technologies," PM noted.

"Also for all these reasons, Egypt tries to attract foreign investments, especially in the industrial sector. There are also projects with Italy to produce green hydrogen using electricity from renewable sources and blue hydrogen via CO2 storage in depleted natural gas fields."

“If we succeed, Italy can become a hub for Europe. Today we have a promising market and separate export agreements with continental countries", adds Madbouly.

"Finally, with regard to women's rights, the goal of the Egyptian government is to criminalize the marriages of child brides in rural areas. Moreover, their autonomy also helps to reduce overpopulation: "If they succeed in their studies, work and life, they will no longer feel the need to have so many children".