Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 14/04/97
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
H.E. DR. KAMAL EL GANZOURI PRIME
MINISTER OF ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
1. It gives me great pleasure to warmly welcome Your
Excellency and members of your delegation to Malaysia. I
am confident that this visit is an important landmark in
deepening and widening the close friendship that Malaysia
and Egypt had established over the years.
2. In the spirit of Islamic solidarity and South-South
cooperation, Malaysia and Egypt have also established the
necessary legal framework to enhance our bilateral
relations. Our two countries have signed trade,
technical, scientific, cultural, economic, and air
transport cooperation agreements. Currently, other new
agreements are also being finalised in the areas of
investment guarantee, wakaf and religious affairs,
tourism, avoidance of double taxation, and science and
technology.
3. However, in yspite of all these avenues for co-
operation, there is insufficient interaction in most of
these areas between our two countries. Malaysia has
always looked to Egypt as a leader of the West
Asian/African bloc and we attach high priority to
developing closer cooperation with Egypt. Yet we have
not succeeded in realising the quantum and quality of
cooperation that goes with such high regard.
4. It is peculiar that in spite of the long history of
people-to-people relations, best exemplified by the
thousands of Malaysians who have graduated from Al-Azhar
and other Egyptian universities, this relationship is
still stronger in spirit than in substance. Even today
there are some 5,500 Malaysian students who make up the
largest group of foreign students in Egypt. It is noted
that many of these Malaysian students, instead of mixing
with and learning from their Egyptian friends and
counterparts, tend to keep to themselves. Malaysia has
not fully benefited from them because of this tendency.
It is also noted that among them there are those who,
instead of studying and working have tended to opt for
politicking, often with unwholesome consequences. These
Malaysians are a blot on the good name of the graduates
of Egyptian universities.
5. Still many graduates of Egyptian universities play
an important role in Malaysia's development process.
They inspire much respect and are a positive force in
Malaysia's economic progress. While they should pursue
Islamic studies they should acquire skill in other fields
as well in the tradition of the great Islamic thinkers
and scientists of old. With knowledge in other fields
they would be able to achieve a much more balanced
approach to religion and life.
6. Undoubtedly a great deal needs to be done in order
to tap the full potential of trade, economic and
investment opportunities which have now taken centre
stage in our national development plans. I trust that
the members of the private sector in your delegation will
establish linkages with their Malaysian counterparts.
7. Trade between our two countries has increased
steadily over the years but the value of trade is still
small and confined to only a few products. Malaysia
views Egypt as the ideal trading partner and as an
excellent channel for reaching other Arab and African
states.
8. In view of the above considerations, Malaysia would
encourage its private sector to explore opportunities for
trade in Egypt.
9. The Malaysian Government's view positively the
chamber-to- chamber cooperation and the MOU concluded
between the National Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Malaysia and the Egyptian Businessmen's Association in
1993.
10. I am encouraged that Egypt has already embarked on
economic reform and structural adjustment with
encouraging results in recent years. The call for
greater foreign investments, moves towards privatisation,
deregulation and liberalisation affecting various
industries, services, banking, manufacturing and
information technology are in consonance with the
worldwide trend towards globalisation. The inauguration
of several Egyptian national projects lately, including
the Toshka Southern Valley and Sinai Technology Valley
indeed offer opportunities for cooperation from abroad.
11. As members of various international organisations,
including the Non-Aligned Movement, the OIC, and, more
recently, the Development Group of Eight Islamic
countries, Egypt and Malaysia have worked closely
together on many issues of mutual concern.
12. Our countries have recognised that Islamic countries
have the capacity to play a crucial role in creating
conditions for global peace and stability. This cannot
be achieved unless Muslims truly believe in Islamic
brotherhood and cease to use Islam as an excuse for
lulling other Muslims and undermining the political
stability of Islamic nations.
13. In the Middle East region, the question of Palestine
and the Arab-Israeli conflict escapes solution because of
Israeli duplicity and its high-handed ways. It is sad
and most regrettable that Israel's actions which deserve
the strongest condemnation are being condoned by certain
countries. Israel deserves every kind of sanction and
yet we see sanction being applied to weak countries for
minor breaches of human rights.
14. Malaysia appreciates the active role that has been
played by Egypt in the Middle East peace process.
President Mubarak's untiring efforts to bring an end to
the conflict in spite of Israel's intransigence deserve
the whole-hearted support of all of us. Malaysia will
not have any meaningful relation with Israel until that
country learns to honour agreements entered into by its
legitimate Government.
15. Our two countries have always enjoyed close and
brotherly relations. We are optimistic that we can work
closely with you to further strengthen our political,
trade and economic relations. I must reiterate, Mr.
Prime Minister, that your visit will open a new era of
cooperation that will contribute significantly to the
strengthening of our bilateral relations in the years to
come.
16. May I now invite you to join me in a toast to H.E.
Dr. Kamal El Ganzouri, the Government and People of the
United Arab Republic of Egypt and to friendship between
Malaysia and Egypt.
|
|