Egypt is a Middle Eastern country, located on the northeastern tip of the African continent. It has an area of ​​1,002,000 km2 and a population of 106 million inhabitants, thus being the country with the largest Arab-speaking population.

Egypt is a strategically and geopolitically important. It controls the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and is of a great importance for international trade. The Arab League is located in its capital, Cairo. The 1979 peace treaty with Israel remains one of the most important diplomatic achievements in promoting Arab-Israeli peace.

Following the mass protests during 2011-2013 (Arab Spring), Abdel Fattah el Sisi (former Marshall and Minister of Defense) managed to restore public order to a considerable extent. El Sisi was elected president in mid-2014 with 97% of the vote and was re-elected again on April 2, 2018, with the same majority of votes.

OVERVIEW

The diplomatic relations between Albania and Egypt were established on April 19, 1956. We have old historical ties with Egypt. Muhamed Ali Pasha, of Albanian origin, is the founder of the modern Egyptian state. He became king of Egypt and Sudan in the early 19th century (1805) and his dynasty remained in power until 1953. Muhammad Ali is one of the most important figures in the history of Egypt and had a long-term influence in the development and modernization of the country. There are some similarities between our two peoples, in the cultural aspect, due to the common history of conquests, by some of the greatest empires of the time.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

The relations between our two countries are traditionally very good and friendly and without inherited problems. They are based on our mutual interests, which require their further expansion, both bilateral and multilateral. A series of high-level visits have taken place in Egypt, recently. In February 2019, the President of the Republic, Mr. Ilir Meta paid an official visit to Cairo, while, in October 2021, an official visit of Prime Minister Rama to Egypt took place. The visit saw the signing of several agreements. The visits of the Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and that of President Sisi are expected to take place soon. The last diplomatic consultations between the two foreign ministries took place in Tirana in April 2011.

The level of economic and trade cooperation with Egypt is at low levels and far from the potential that can be achieved. Holding the first session of the Joint Economic Commission will be a good opportunity to identify areas of mutual interest for cooperation for both countries and to draft a concrete calendar of cooperation between our two countries.