Egyptian-French year 2019 reflects solid ties between the two nations

CAIRO – 9 January 2019: Minister of Culture Inas Abdel-Dayem convened with the French ambassador to Egypt on behalf of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli in a press conference at the Cairo Opera House in the presence of Minister of Antiquities Khaled Al-Anany.

The conference took place to celebrate the Egyptian-French year 2019, held under the auspices of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, highlighting the various intellectual and technical exchange between both countries that will continue throughout 2019, which is deepening bilateral relations between Egypt and France.

At the beginning of the press conference, Minister of Culture Abdel Dayem thanked President Sisi for sponsoring cultural events, which reflects the state's belief in the importance of culture and creativity.

Abdel Dayem further pointed out that an enriching program has been developed to shed light on the aspects of intellectual civilization in both the Egyptian and French societies.

The program aims to uphold the values of freedom and to promote creativity in arts, respect for others and openness to their cultures through the participation of creators in various fields.

The French ambassador confirmed that 2019 is a special year in the history of relations between Egypt and France, coinciding with 150 years since the opening of the Suez Canal, which is one of the great achievements in the course of bilateral relations between Egypt and France.

Anany mentioned that the relations between the two countries are special and distinguished by the French presence on the land of Egypt, which hosts more than 40 archaeological missions, a permanent institute of archaeology in Cairo, a center for archaeological studies in Karnak, Luxor and an exhibition of the treasures of King Tutankhamen in Paris in March.

The press conference came to an end with the first soloist performance of the Paris Opera Ballet in Cairo Opera House.