In the period from 26th to 29th of September 2023, a delegation from the council visited Hungary, based on invitation from Hungarian Institute for international Affairs. The delegation constitutes of Ambassador Mohamed Al-Oraby, the chief of the council, and Ambassador Ali Al-Hefny, secretary general of the council.
The program of the visit includes meetings with researchers from the Institute, the director of foreign affairs office of the president, the director of research institute for immigration. Attended the meeting Ambassador Mohamed Al-Shenawy, Ambassador of Egypt to Budapest, and a dinner was held in his honor at the residence.
In the visit, Ambassador Mohamed Al-Oraby presented a lecture on the Egyptian vision and position regarding Middle East issues. The Hungarian side including officials and researchers expressed their interest and passion for knowing about the estimates of the best Egyptian think tanks, especially in the subjects of mutual interests. Also, they discussed the bilateral relations and European situations including the Russian military operation in Ukraine and the impacts of it on the economy of both countries and on the global economy. In addition, the Hungarian side pointed out that the importance of thinking to limit the sanctions on Russia as a tool to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. Also, they tackled the Palestinian issue and implications of it. Besides, they discussed the situations in Syria, Libya, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon after the Arab Spring.
As well, they discussed the increasing interest of international powers in Africa, in addition to the increasing frequency of terror, violence, extremism in the African continent and lately the coups in West Africa. In this regard, the Hungarian side expressed their fears concerning the detonation of the situation in the region, asking who will take the place France after its withdrawal as Russia and China will not be able to do that, and USA has no interest in the region. Adding, it’s important to leave forming democratic systems to Africans without international interfere.
In a related context, Egypt suggested to have tripartite cooperation between Egypt and Hungary in Africa, and the Hungarian side welcomed this. Moreover, The Hungarian side expressed their interest to have further cooperation with Egypt in the security field benefiting from the success of Egypt in containing terror, and controlling illegal immigration. In this regard, the chairman of the council suggested on the Hungarian side to receive a number of Egyptians in a form of legal immigration and they welcomed that.
The Hungarian side referred to the importance of supporting the European programs to increase the attracting factor which lead to encouraging Africans to stay in their countries.
The Hungarian side expressed their agreement with the council regarding the American Policy towards china, and said that china can add value to the international economy, as we prefer a multipolar system that achieve balance in the international relations.
Furthermore, the Hungarian side paid attention to know more about the developments regarding the Ethiopian dam. They suggested to make use of successful experiences of Europe and Asia in resolving water conflicts, and said we can learn from the experience of “Danube River Water Council”, DANUB COMMISSION. The council welcomed this suggestion after presenting the current and future situation of the issue which indicates risks for Egypt.
In the visit, the meetings showed rapprochement in views and estimates of both Egyptian and Hungarian sides. This is in addition to feeling proud of what has been achieved on the bilateral relations from progress and diversity in the last years. This is affirmed by the repeated meetings of both Egyptian and Hungarian leadership. Also, this will be enhanced by the visit of the Hungarian president in late November 2023.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the council and Hungarian Institute of International Affairs. The chairman of the council expressed the interest in establishing mutual research programs with the Hungarian Institute, and invited the chef of the institute to visit Egypt. Also, he suggested cooperation between the two countries in the field of exchanging and training diplomats from the two countries, and exchanging visions on global crises.
On the other hand, the chief of the council said that it’s important to have the chairman of Hungarian Research Institute for immigration in Egypt to resumption discussions with the council, also, to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum and maybe attending the opening of it. In addition, he promised to make Dr. Zahy Hawas visit Hungary to meet with experts from Hungary who have interest in Egyptian monuments and Pharaonic civilization.
