Ireland's Ambassador to Egypt highlights 50 years of bilateral ties and commitment to enhanced cooperation

Ireland's Ambassador to Egypt, Aidan O'Hara, emphasized the deep and long-standing relationship between Egypt and Ireland, noting over 50 years of official ties and even longer human connections. In an interview, Ambassador O'Hara highlighted the strong relationship, including positive personal rapport between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, his Irish counterpart, and the Irish Prime Minister, reinforced by President Sisi's December 2022 visit to Ireland. The two nations share common stances on global issues such as nuclear non-proliferation and peace in the Middle East, with cooperation extending to developments in Sudan, Libya, and Gaza. Ambassador O'Hara mentioned that President El Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors. He praised Egypt's infrastructure development, which has boosted tourism, and noted an increase in Irish investments, particularly in the food sector. Ireland is also interested in expanding investments in higher education, through collaborations with the British University in Egypt and Pharos University, as well as in technology and aircraft leasing. Egypt now exports fruits and vegetables to Ireland, and the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union is expected to further Irish investments. The diplomat also recalled historical Irish figures who contributed to Egypt, such as Harper, who founded a charity hospital in 1909, and Officer Jerr Anderson, whose artifact collection became a museum. Ire