"SEE" Interviews Uzbek Ambassador to Egypt

Egypt and Uzbekistan enjoy strong, and deep historic ties represented in various aspects including religious, cultural, and civilizational ones, as well as common denominators. 

In May 1993, the Egyptian Embassy was opened in Tashkent. In October 1995, the Uzbek Embassy in Cairo was opened during the visit of the Uzbek Foreign Minister (FM) Dr. Abdul Aziz Kamilov, to Cairo. 

Concerning, the Joint trade and economic relations between both countries, they are developing steadily, yet in a way that does not live up to the aspirations of the two peoples.

Thus, both countries are always keen on exchanging high-level visits to discuss ways to boost joint cooperation and push economic relations into a partnership that serves both parties.

In this regard, 'SEE' managed to undergo an exclusive interview with the Uzbek ambassador to Egypt Mansurbek Bakhtiyarovich, to know more about the nature of relations between both countries and ways to develop them in the near future. 

Relations between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Egypt go back a long history. Even today, there are strong bonds of friendship formed over centuries.

Historical and cultural ties and mutual spiritual and religious closeness of the peoples of our country serves as an important basis for the development of mutually beneficial relations between Uzbekistan and Egypt.

The leadership of our republic considers the Arab Republic of Egypt as an important country that is consistently developing in the Middle East region and a promising partner on the African continent.

The Arab Republic of Egypt was one of the first to recognize the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relation was established on January 23, 1992.

In May 1993, the Egyptian embassy was opened in Tashkent. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Egypt started its activity in December 1994.

Uzbekistan-Egypt relations were established during the official visit of the first President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, to Cairo in December 1992. The second official visit of the head of Uzbekistan to Egypt in April 2007 served to further develop these relations.

On September 4-5, 2018, the high-level talks held in Tashkent between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdulfattah al-Sisi gained historical significance and brought bilateral relations to a new level in terms of quality and content. 

Within the framework of the visit, 11 official cooperation documents were signed, and an agreement was reached on contracts with a total value of 483 million dollars.

In February 2022, in the framework of the official opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, the capital of China, a dialogue was held between the Presidents of our friendly countries. These meetings indicate that the scale of mutually beneficial cooperation is developing.

A mechanism of political consultations was created between the foreign ministries of the two countries. The last round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs was held in May 2022.

In Uzbekistan, Egypt is well known as one of the leading countries of the Arab-Muslim world and a country that occupies an important place at the international and regional levels.

We are interested in giving a long-term and systematic tone to our relationship with the Arab Republic of Egypt, our reliable partner on the African continent.

We actively continue our cooperation with Egypt within the framework of the United Nations Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international and regional organizations.

We consider our cooperation in the trade-economic, investment, cultural, educational, and tourism spheres to be a priority in our relations.

2. About five years have passed since the official visit of the Egyptian President to Uzbekistan. What has changed during this time in Uzbek-Egyptian relations?

It is known that in September 2018, 11 official cooperation documents were signed within the framework of the official visit of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdulfattah al-Sisi to Uzbekistan.

After the visit, bilateral relations reached a new level in terms of quality and content and are actively developing in all areas.

In particular, in the field of education, there is direct communication between the ministries of higher education and universities, and the exchange of students and teachers is carried out. The universities of our country are actively cooperating with the universities of Cairo, Ain Shams, Alexandria, Helwan, and Port Said, which are among the most prestigious universities in the world. At Al-Azhar University, many of our compatriots are enriching their knowledge of Islam and the Arabic language.

As a result of the signing of the Agreement on visa-free travel of diplomatic passport holders, representatives of the government, and employees of foreign policy agencies meet regularly. Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Egypt have become permanent.

As an example, we managed to organize many high-level events in the past year. On May 25-26, 2022, the 10th round of political consultations was held in Cairo. The delegation of Uzbekistan was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs F. Sidikov.

Sisi and Uzbek Counterpart

In 2022, a delegation led by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Kh. Loza visited Uzbekistan. In the city of Tashkent, a document was signed granting Egypt the status of "Dialogue Partner" of the SCO.

On November 14, 2022, a meeting of the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan T.Norboeva with the Speaker of the Egyptian Senate Abdulvahab Abdulraziq was organized within the framework of the participation of the 27th UN Conference on Climate Change (SOR27). At the meeting, it was agreed to establish close cooperation between the parliaments and to organize separate official visits of the leaders of the parliaments.

Trade, economic and investment cooperation is also expanding. With the direct support of the representative office of Uzbekistan in Egypt, 25 companies visited our country in 2022, and 62 business forums and roundtables were held.

On January 18, 2022, online negotiations were organized between the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan A. Ikramov, and the Secretary General of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce A. Azza.

On March 2-4, 2022, the delegation led by the first deputy chairman of "Uztoqimachiliksanoati" D. Vahobov participated in the 70th international textile exhibition "Cairo Fashion & Tex" held in Cairo with its products under the brand "Made in Uzbekistan".

On March 3-4, 2022, representatives of the "Uzcharmsanoat" association led by A. Sultonov participated in the "Inter Leather" international exhibition held in Cairo.

On March 24-26, 2022, representatives of Egyptian businessmen and leaders of large companies participated in the first Tashkent International Investment Forum.

On June 1-4, 2022, a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Sh. Vafoev visited the city of Sharm el-Sheikh to participate in the annual conference of the Islamic Development Bank.

On October 5-7, 2022, the delegation led by the Minister of Innovative Development I. Abdurakhmanov participated in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Cotton Researchers in Cairo. Meetings were organized in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Higher Education of Egypt.

In 2022, 15 cotton experts from the Agro-Industrial Complex Supervision Inspectorate participated in free training courses at the International Cotton Center in Egypt.

On December 5-7, 2022, the participation of Khorezm region businessmen in the " Food Africa-2022 " international exhibition held in Cairo was ensured.

Also, relations in the cultural and humanitarian spheres are developing. Delegations are regularly exchanged between our countries. During 2022 alone, more than 30 events in the fields of culture, education, art, and film industry were held with the participation of the Embassy.

During the months of July-August 2022, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan held the "Legacy of Imam Moturidi" competition among the researchers of the Egyptian "al-Azhar" complex.

On October 18, 2022, an evening of Uzbek literature was organized at the Alexandria Media Institute in Egypt with the participation of a group of Uzbek poets, writers, and literature lovers, as well as Embassy employees.

Copies of the manuscripts of Alisher Navoi and Kamoliddin Behzod presented by the House of Books and National Archives of Egypt for presentation to the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan were delivered to our country's offices.

Representatives of Egypt regularly participate in the events organized in Uzbekistan, in particular, the Forum of Public Diplomacy of the SCO (May 10-13), the international conference on the topic "Contribution of Eastern Scholars to Islamic Civilization" (May 19), the international dance festival "Lazgi" (April 25-30 ), the International Festival of Goldsmithing and Jewelry (May 21-25), the VI International Congress "Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan - the Foundation of the New Renaissance" (July 22-24), the "International Pilgrimage Tourism" Week (November 1-3), UNESCO's II World conference (November 14-15), "Joys of Tashkent" 9th International Biennale of Children's Paintings (December 12-19), "Silk Road Masterpiece" Tashkent International Film Festival, "Silk Road Tourism" Tashkent International Tourism Fair (November 30-December 2)

3. Could you name the most promising areas of cooperation between both countries? What major projects are planned for implementation in the near future?

Leading Egyptian companies, including "Orascom telecommunications and construction", "El Sevedi Electrics", " Pharco " and "Solyphar" visited the cities of Tashkent, Namangan, Fergana, and Termiz.

During the meetings, more than 30 mutually beneficial agreements and memorandums were signed, and 12 joint ventures in various fields of cooperation were registered.

Currently, work is being done on the project of building a pharmaceutical production plant in the SEZ "Bostonliq-farm" of the Tashkent region at the expense of the Egyptian company "Solyphar". The cost of this project is $20 million.

The large Egyptian company "Elsewedy Electric" is working on the implementation of joint projects and the introduction of innovative developments in the energy sector of our country.

4. What do the parties expect from the upcoming visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Egypt?

The first official visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Egypt is expected to open a new page in the history of relations between our countries.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Egyptian President Abdulfattah al-Sisi will exchange views on all aspects of bilateral wide-scale cooperation and current international issues in a friendly atmosphere.

Special attention will be paid to the development of cooperation in political, trade-economic, investment, energy, security, defence, security, regional relations, culture, and education spheres.

It is also planned to sign a number of intergovernmental and inter-agency documents in the presence of the leaders of the two countries.

Sisi and Uzbek Counterpart

On the eve of the visit, according to the results of the business forum held with the participation of the business circles of Uzbekistan and Egypt, it was planned to reach major economic agreements of mutual interest.

The two countries are developing trade relations and working out the most optimal routes together. In this regard, the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway "Termiz - Mazari-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar" will allow the Central Asian countries to quickly and easily reach Egypt through the ports of Pakistan.

It is worth noting that the practical implementation of the documents agreed upon during the official visit of President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi to Uzbekistan in 2018 and the consistent implementation of the agreements reached during the official visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to further expand cooperation in all fields and form a strategic partnership between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Arab Republic of Egypt creates a solid foundation.