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Tuesday, May 19, 1998
Mr. Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, Dear Friends, I would like to extend my thanks for the warm welcome given to us in your time-honoured capital. I would like also to express our deep appreciation for the intimate relations with the great French people, maker of massive civilisational achievements and major contributor to tangible progress and elevation of human life across long centuries. A major distinctive feature of this relationship is that it does not only belong to the heritage and record of the past, which has now become history, but it is also a sustainable and renewable bond, that is vividly reflected and materially embodied in both the present and the future alike. I need not re-emphasize the unique nature and particularity of the cultural dimension in our bilateral relations. In view of the live evidence it bears in the emotional life of both peoples, this phenomenon has become so unmistakably conspicuous that it is rendered a part of day-to-day life and cultural texture in both countries. This has led intellectuals in both countries to call for the creation of a French university in Cairo, as an added weight to the French presence in Egypt and a new connecting link between coming generations of both our sons and grandsons. It may be appropriate to lay emphasis, in this context, on other aspects which are attracting growing attention in our time, being related to the information and technological revolution now surging in the world. This revolution heralds a new era, in terms of both the pace of progress and innovation and the huge available knowledge capability, inevitably leaving ostensible impact on the lives of successive generations. Starting my talk about these aspects of our bilateral relations, I would like to refer to an important fact, that can never be ignored nor underestimated: The orientation towards a distinct Egyptian-French relationship has been an established and firm element of both countries' policies. Successive governments as well as official and non-government organizations have been attentively committed under all circumstances to maintain, increasingly develop and continually promote such relationship. In the early Nineteenth Century, when Muhammad Ali sought to build an advanced industrial base, considering the criteria and standards of his time, he first thought of France. This orientation by the Egyptian State was met by prompt response on the part of France. This resulted in an outstanding French contribution to the industrial and scientific awakening that lasted for long decades. Today, as you are well-aware, friends, we have started in the land of Egypt a major, comprehensive awakening, that covers not only industrial fields but also extends to new integrated communities, where industrial, agricultural and mining activities interact. These enterprises conform with the specifications necessary for the creation of new residential communities, without detriment to environment particularly in desert areas. Specifications and requirements for such areas are different from those of urban areas, especially in respect of farming and irrigation techniques and rational, economical use of water, where there is no way to lose a single drop of water that could put life to a fruitful tree. Several French companies have already contributed to successful projects related to the improvement of the quality of life and the upgrading of commodity and service product quality in line with the latest requirements. We are still looking forward to further contributions by such companies, in the form of direct investment, covering many aspects of advanced industry. Accordingly, Egyptian production capability would be developed and the gap between the volume of Egyptian exports and imports from your country bridged. As you are aware, to rectify the defective trade balance is the element to ensure stability and continuity of such relationship. Today, we are in the process of an overall planning for intensive use of technology and scientific research in Egypt over the coming years. This would allow us not only assimilate modern, sophisticated technology, but also probably first and foremost, to upgrade Egyptian technological capability to such levels that can usher us into the era of inventing and innovating such new generations of technologies that fit in with our environment, needs and ability. It is our belief that none is worthier than France to share us the mission of this significant transformation, that would ensure the realization of the aspired qualititative change on the land of Egypt. I may refer in this context to the requirement, already advocated by your goodself in person, to address global economic developments, without relinquishing social justice considerations, and pursuit of equal employment opportunities for all. This is a statement that reflects a piercing historical vision, insight and geniune belief in a common human destiny. Mr. Prime Minister, We feel highly gratified at the stance adopted by your country towards the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is one that is non-aligned to either party, free of prejudice or bias. Based on full impartiality, this stance triumphs for right, stands against injustice and deigns to indulgence into a path contrary to the movement of history. Hence, we are looking forward to increasing French and European input over the coming period to influence and persuade the Israeli party into the requirement honouring their obligations and covenants without hesitation or resort to ungrounded and futile pretexts. Likewise we do share the same interest in the affairs and concerns of Europe. We have been gratified to see your glorious continent step forward on the way of unity, until the unified European currency (Euro) was approved last month. On the other hand, we express sorrow and grief for the continued tragic incidents in former Yugoslavia; in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, resulting from hideous racial cleansing practices which are extraneous to the time frame values and concepts of our time. We hope the Laison Group, in which you play a very important role to take an effective decisive and prompt move to resolve this situation and put an end to suffering of thousands of people only on account of being affiliated to a specific national or religious group. Such the suffering contradicts with the simplest rules of humanity. Dear Friends, We are looking forward to enhancing and intensifying cooperation between our two countries in all domains, to fully utilize existing prospects and maintain our mutual interests, at both regional and international levels. Undoubtedly, Premier Jospin and his colleagues will spare no efforts to promote such relations to the appropriate level. Allow me at the very end to invite you to stand up in honour of the primer minister Mr. Jospin, and all the friends present and the close friendship between our two countries and peoples. May peace and mercy of Allah be upon you. |
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