On April 22, 2024, ECFA hosted the Director-General of the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Ambassador Syed Bakri, and his deputy, along with a diplomat from the Malaysian Embassy. This meeting comes at the request of the Malaysian side, as part of the visit held by the Director of the Diplomatic Institute to Cairo to discuss means to cooperate and promote relations with the Egyptian Diplomatic Institute in the field of training, diplomatic studies and international relations in general.

The meeting was attended by: Ambassadors: Mohamed El-Oraby, ECFA Chairman, and Dr. Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, in addition to the participation of the Minister Plenipotentiary, Mohamed El-Halwani, Vice President of the Diplomatic Institute of Egypt.

At the outset of the meeting, ECFA Chairman and Director welcomed the guests, emphasizing the Council’s keenness to enhance cooperation between the two sides in areas of common interest, including the diplomatic field. On his part, the Malaysian guest explained that Egypt represents the center of the Arab world, looking forward to strengthening cooperation with it, and in order to closely get acquainted with the Arab point of view on regional and international issues.

He also expressed his desire to exchange diplomats and experts from both sides. Efforts are underway to reactivate the memorandum of understanding signed in 2001 between the Egyptian Diplomatic Institute and its Malaysian counterpart. In this context, he referred to the Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia (ISIS), which can cooperate with the Council, and in turn, ECFA Chairman welcomed this proposal. The meeting tackled relations between the two countries, indicating that they are currently witnessing momentum and further progress.

The Malaysian side also hailed the role of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in establishing the correct concepts and ideas of the Islamic religion for thousands of Malaysian students studying in Al-Azhar colleges and institutes. Regarding an inquiry about the Muslim Brotherhood and their position in the political arena in Malaysia, the Malaysian guest explained that they have a presence in the political arena and participate in the political process, but they are unable to form a government on their own. The meeting also discussed developments in a number of regions, including West Asia and North Africa, and regional situations in Egypt’s neighboring countries. On its part, ECFA expressed its desire for Asian support to restore security and stability in the region.