Cairo, December 18, 2024 – The Europe Today: Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah met with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday in Cairo, as part of efforts to bolster bilateral ties under the directives of Saudi leadership.
Prince Badr conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to the Egyptian President.
Enhancing Bilateral Relations in Culture and Heritage
The discussions centered on further enhancing cooperation in culture, tourism, and heritage between the two nations. President El-Sisi expressed Egypt’s pride in its historical ties with Saudi Arabia and commended the Kingdom’s progress in cultural development. He extended congratulations to Saudi Arabia for winning the bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and wished the Kingdom success in its various cultural and sports endeavors.
El-Sisi praised Saudi Arabia’s cultural, artistic, and tourism advancements and highlighted Egypt’s readiness to collaborate on specific projects, given its extensive cultural heritage and expertise. He welcomed initiatives to deepen cooperation in arts, literature, and heritage protection, emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to supporting shared cultural aspirations.
Prince Badr underscored the strong bonds between the peoples of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, highlighting the Kingdom’s admiration for Egyptian culture and its significant role in the Saudi cultural landscape. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to intensifying joint efforts in cultural and artistic projects with Egypt, citing the close coordination between the ministries and institutions of both countries.
Strengthening Cultural Infrastructure and Joint Initiatives
Prince Badr, accompanied by a high-level delegation, also held talks with Egyptian Minister of Culture Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno. The ministers discussed proposals to enhance cultural collaboration, including:
- Establishing a cultural house in Cairo as a hub for joint events and artistic exchanges.
- Developing training programs for emerging musicians and artists.
- Supporting sustainable cultural projects and initiatives such as digital libraries and mobile art exhibitions.
“This cooperation reflects the depth of historical ties between the Kingdom and Egypt and underscores our shared commitment to advancing regional and international cultural initiatives,” Prince Badr stated.
Collaboration on Antiquities and Tourism
Prince Badr also met with Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy at the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority. Discussions included enhancing collaboration in archaeological research, exchanging expertise, and leveraging Egypt’s vast experience in excavations to support Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the field.
The ministers explored the possibility of hosting temporary exhibitions of Egyptian antiquities in Saudi Arabia as part of the Kingdom’s new museum project, which aims to showcase artifacts from global civilizations.
Additionally, they discussed Egypt’s participation in the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, set to open in January, with significant contributions from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Delegation and Key Discussions
The meeting was attended by notable officials, including Saudi Minister of State Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Assistant Minister of Culture Rakhan Ibrahim Al-Touq, and Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini.
The discussions concluded with both sides reiterating their commitment to strengthening cultural ties and advancing regional collaboration, reflecting the shared vision of the two nations to preserve and promote their rich heritage.
