Egypt, Argentina mark 70 years of joint cooperation

CAIRO – 17 July 2017: In celebration of the 70th anniversary of Egyptian-Argentinean relations, Vice President of Argentina Gabriela Michetti arrived in Cairo to meet President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry for further enhancing both countries’ relations.

This visit came as a preparation for an upcoming visit to Egypt by Argentina’s president, and as a practical expression of Argentina's desire to strengthen relations with Egypt.

The Egyptian-Argentinean relations started 70 years ago in 1947. This historical relationship represented an important base for boosting the economic relations between Egypt and Argentina, as it helped in opening new horizons and areas of cooperation between the business community of the two countries.

It has further diversified economic capabilities and energies, which aim to increase the rates of development and expand the participation of the private sector in economic development.

Political relations

Argentina agrees with Egypt on a number of views regarding local and regional issues. Beginning with Egypt’s efforts to activate a ceasefire in Gaza and adopt the Armistice agreement.

Argentina has further showed support for Egypt’s efforts in fighting terrorism, as well as support of the revolution of June.

Sisi has previously stressed on the depth of the historical ties between the two countries, and he expressed Egypt’s aspirations to advance these historic relations and invest them to enhance all areas of cooperation in economic and international forums.

Economic relations

The visit of Argentina’s president to Cairo in November 2008, headed by a business delegation, opened more areas of economic cooperation and encouraged businessmen to explore opportunities for cooperation.

Egypt and Argentina have a strong base for coordination and cooperation on regional and international issues through their membership in the G20 forum, as both play an influential role in defending the interests of developing countries in relation to World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.

In addition to this, both countries are members in the Group of 15, which aims at increasing cooperation among member countries in the fields of trade, investment and the transfer of technology.

The amount of trade exchange between Egypt and Argentina reached $ 2.1b in 2008.

The main Egyptian exports to Argentina are iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizers, and medicines, and the most important imports in wheat, meat and paper. Argentina is Egypt's second largest trading partner in South America after Brazil.

There are multiple agreements signed between the two countries, including the agreement for the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Council for Businessmen on May 14, 1998 and the memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of electricity and energy on October 15, 1998. Also among the agreements are the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement signed on June 26, 1977 and the Agreement on Tourism Cooperation signed on May 11, 1992.

Education

The Egyptian Center for Agriculture offers five annual grants to Argentina, and the Ministry of Education and Al-Azhar offer two scholarships annually to learn Arabic and Islamic studies. There is an envoy for Al-Azhar in Buenos Aires to lead the Islamic Center in the city of Mendoza. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the National Library of Buenos Aires also signed a cooperation agreement.