dr. Vasile Simileanu: Please present to us the important aspects of the historical evolution of the Arab Republic of Egypt!

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: It is estimated that ever since its first documented appearance about 7000 years ago Egypt has been the oldest central state worldwide, even before China and other countries. This state that emerged on the banks of the River Nile has been good ground for the immersion of religion and spiritual belief. Also, as you are aware, we have history that stretches from the beginnings of Islam to the start of well-established international relations which have started in the 1930’s and beyond.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: Egypt, in my view, is a pole of power in MENA. What is Egypt’s geopolitical and geostrategic priorities, in the period 2025-2040.

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: The main priority for us is to bring the culture of peace. We will not allow any control of any other power away from international law. We don’t want to see the threatening of others by force. This contradicts articles 51 & 52 which prevent the use of force. Some issues will remain, some will be solved, but we are working towards solutions for this goal to be achieved. We will not allow for one country to control more regions than others.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: What are the economic collaboration formats of which your state is a member? What objectives and priorities do you have on your work agenda?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: We strive towards good cooperations with Romania, we’re already speaking of sums exceeding $1 billion. But for us, this is not enough because there still is potential for more. We are going to be widening the spectrum, especially IT, Energy and Education. We have great potential of using the Romanian market, especially in terms of food, such as wheat and other seeds. Egyptian companies can work with Romanian companies in terms of reconstruction in different parts of the world affected by war. We can proceed together in reconstruction whose message is that life can continue, not that it has ended, thus cementing the bond between the two countries.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: The year 2025 is a difficult one due to ongoing conflicts, with a direct impact on MENA! In this context – of regional instabilities caused by Libya, Lebanon, Palestine – how do you project your power regionally and globally, while mediating the Hamas-Israel conflict?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: We are aiding as much as we can in this conflict [ISRvPAL]. Seeing as we are the oldest and biggest Arab and Islamic community in the region, we are working towards finding a solution to bring the two countries to an accord, so that future generations can live hassle-free. The continuation of this war, and any war in general, is pointless. The current generation mustn’t live with hatred and hostility brought on by the older generation, instead it should pave the ground for peace and prosperity. Of course, some solutions are flawed, but that means we must work towards mediating the issues. Currently, we are stabilizing the issue. Only when the negotiations are stabilized can we work towards positive outcomes.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: What strategies should be designed in bilateral relations: economic, military, cultural, touristic and commercial? I ask you because before 1989, Romania was a strong supplier of arms to the Egyptian market. What are the realities of the moment?

A: Romania and Egypt have had one of the longest diplomatic and political alliances, spanning over 120 years. The two countries have never experienced any sort of shakeups when it comes to these relations. The signs of a strong political and diplomatic relation between two countries are when the countries have partnerships run by people, with the government only being there to sustain said partnerships, not control them. That is what our two nations have achieved. Our partnerships are run by businessmen, academicians, so on and so forth, with the governments practically having been “ejected”.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: What is the perception of Egypt in Romania and what is the perception of Romania in Egypt? What joint collaborations do you want to develop in the future?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: Egypt and Romania are colleagues when it comes to the relationship with the EU. Egypt is a central hub of Romanian exports towards Africa and Arab countries, as well as having always enjoyed good traditional relationships. We are actively working towards widening and expanding our partnerships. Regarding the “Geopolitica” magazine, I’d be more than happy to work with them thanks to their reputation and audience which could further improve our partnership.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: The Arab Republic of Egypt has oil and strategic mineral reserves. What strategies have you adopted regarding their exploitation and export to open international collaborations and with which countries?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: Strictly speaking of Romania, we already have strong cooperations in the oil and gas domain thanks to both countries having massive reserves of both. However, this is not enough. There’s great potential which we seek. The best way forward would be for experts in the field to sit together and discuss potential cooperation. It is important that we achieve optimal cooperation between the two countries.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: Culturally and religiously, you have unique traditions in the region. How do you promote them externally?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: Our culture is to fight hatred and extremism, instead opting for peace. I do not want to use the word “Religion” when it comes to political affairs as it is improper. Religion is a part of culture which is proper to be spoken about in this context. Our culture, for generations upon generations, has sough peace, which it is still finding to this very day. Our mission is to lay the foundations of what will one day be total prosperity within our nation and people’s hearts.

Currently, however, the only way going forward is to respect international and moral law.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: What are the relations you have in mind, in the new international context, with BRICS+ and the EU states, but especially with the US and Israel? What strategies do you promote in relations with the states of the Middle East and North Africa?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: Egypt is a regional superpower. We have good relations not only locally but overseas, with countries and alliances such as Russia, China, the EU etc. We are also part of BRICS+, The Arab League and others alike.

Furthermore, we strive for equilibrium when it comes to our alliances and partnerships, not valuing one more than the other. In our past experience, taking sides hasn’t led to the best results, so we must avoid making the same mistake again.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: What are the relationships you are developing at the level of the Arab League and the Islamic Conference regarding regional security?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: In both the Arab League and the Islamic Conference we have major influence. We use that influence on the benefit of not only the other countries but our country as well. Why is this? For example, in Saudi Arabia, there are three, four, maybe even five million Egyptians working there.

When we help Saudi Arabia, we help ourselves. Likewise with Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco etc.

The Islamic Conference is mostly political unlike the Arab League which is multidimensional; it doesn’t handle economic issues etc.

The Arab League does handle economic, cultural, social and political issues. By aiding the two, everyone benefits.

dr. Vasile Simileanu: What are the strengths and weaknesses in bilateral relations with Romania? Are you considering organizing an economic mission to Romania and in what areas of collaboration?

Ambassador dr. Mohammed Moustafa ORFY: In our relationship with Romania there are no weaknesses, however economic aspects are not reflected in the way we’d have hoped. As I mentioned, we have trades worth $1 billion, but these numbers could grow to be even $6-7 billion thanks to your potential. Romanian tourism in Egypt isn’t satisfactory. Currently, estimates range from 20-150K tourists annually. I, however, believe that even as many as one million Romanian tourists could visit Egypt annually, as the costs per week are similar, if not lower, in Egypt, depending on the mode of travel.

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Geopolitica Magazine team and our readers, we wish you much success in achieving the objectives facing the diplomatic mission in Romania!