Ambassador Alarnosi: July Revolution a glorious event in Egyptian history

Your Excellency, the Arab Republic of Egypt is one of the first Arab countries to have established relations with Kazakhstan. We have met on the eve of your national holiday - the anniversary of revolution. What does this great day mean to you and the people of Egypt?

The July Revolution was a glorious event in the Egyptian history. This Revolution helped to enrich Egypt and opened a better future for the Egyptian people to break the shackles of foreign colonization, exercise their rights and join the march of progress. The bloodless July Revolution changed the life in Egypt and the entire Arab world through major significant reforms in the Middle East, and paved the way for the people to live in dignity and honor after long suffering under pressure of occupation and exploitation of their wealth and natural resources. The revolution confronted colonialism and foreign domination not only in Egypt, but also in Arab countries, in Africa and the whole world. In this regard, I would like to mention that the Non-Alignment Movement was one of the fruitful efforts of the great leaders at that time, including Naser, Nehro and Tito. It is important to refer to the latest Summit of Non Alignment Movement that has taken place in Sharm El Sheikh this month. The number of the countries that have attended the Summit has exceeded 100, and leaders already have discussed new initiatives and ideas for revival of this organization in order to achieve better future and economic development for the 3^rd World. The leaders have already concentrated on the negative effects of the financial economical crisis upon poor countries, finding the way of creating a new monitory system that could guarantee equality in the International Economic relations.

How would you characterize the current situation of political relations between Kazakhstan and Egypt?  What documents signed since that time between our countries, in your opinion, are the key ones in the development of our future bilateral relations?

Egypt and Kazakhstan have strong political relations. Egypt was one of the first countries that recognized Kazakhstan as an independent State in April 1992 on the level of the political leadership of the two countries. I would like to mention that excellent relations between H.E. Mr. Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and H.E.Mr. Nazarbayev Nursultan, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan have played an important role in cementing the relation between the two countries, leading it into new horizons. It is important to appreciate the great support, which the Egyptian side has received from the Republic of Kazakhstan in the level of international organizations. From the other side, Egypt also has supported all initiative of Kazakhstan on international and regional levels. In this regard, I would like to refer to the high level of coordination between two countries, in supporting the dialogue between religions and civilizations. The continuous participation of Imam Al Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawy and H.E. Minister Hamdy Zakzouk Minister of Waqf in all meetings of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional religions from 2003 till the latest in July 2009 is reflecting the Egyptian support of Kazakh efforts in this issue that can play important role in bringing peace among different countries, and avoid the negative ideas about confrontation of civilizations.

On the economic level of bilateral relations the balance of trade between the two countries has exceeded USD 250 million- the 5^th Session of the Joint Committee between two countries will be held in Cairo by the end of this year - the Egyptian-Kazakhstan Councilor of Businessmen has been held in Cairo in May 2009, and the both sides have discussed the ways of development of trade and investment opportunities. In this regard, I would like to stress that the trade relations between Egypt and Kazakhstan still far from the potentials and we have to work hard together in order to find out a new areas of cooperation in the field of culture, agriculture, investment, pharmaceutical, mining and oil industries.

The cultural relation between our countries is one of the fundamental elements of cooperation. As you may know, the Arab Republic of Egypt has established the Nur Mubarak University in Almaty for Arabic and Islamic studies. I am sure, that this University will be lightening point for the Arabic and Islamic cultures, not only in Kazakhstan, but in the whole Central Asia, and this is one of the ways of teaching the people of real principals of Islam. In the Middle East and Arab World we still remember the great role of the Kazakh and Central Asian scientists and leaders as a whole, who have enriched the Islamic civilization in the Middle East.

We can not forget that the Kazakh leader Sultan Beibars, who led the Egyptians and Arabs to defend the Islamic civilization against Tatar invasion and it's important to express our gratitude for Kazakh Government for its participation in renovating the mosque of Sultan Beibars in Cairo, by granting USD 4.5 million.

One more thing is opening of direct flight Cairo-Almaty-Cairo by Branch of "Egypt Air" Company, which will start from the end of October twice a week. This will facilitate the individual movement between two countries and support the trade and the movement of the businessmen from Egypt to Kazakhstan, and from Kazakhstan to Egypt, Middle East and Africa. It will also participate in the development of tourism between our countries. We are receiving a great number of Kazakh tourists in Egypt, specially in Sharm El Sheikh, the latest figure in 2008 was approximately 30, 000 tourists.

You have worked in Astana, a young capital of Kazakhstan which is considered to be a country making rapid strides in this region. What is your impression of the new capital, which has recently hosted the 3^rd Congress of leaders of the world and traditional religions and has celebrated its 11^th anniversary this year. Have you found anything special about our traditions, human values and interethnic relations among the peoples?

I started my work as the Ambassador of Egypt to Kazakhstan in September 2008 and later we moved from Almaty to a new beautiful capital Astana. I really admired the rapid development of this capital. My first visit to Astana was in 2007, but after just one year - in 2008 I found big changes in architecture, quality of roads and the whole infrastructure of the city. I am really convinced that the great idea of President Nazarbayev to move the capital city was very important. It is known, that many countries which have tried to expand the old capitals experienced a lot of problems, it was really something impossible and as a result it could disturb the whole life of the people. So I completely agree that the idea to move the capital city to a new location is very important and, moreover, it could save money which you are supposed to add to the services of old capital. This year I have been attending many celebrations of the 11^th Anniversary of Astana. It was really magnificent celebrations.

In this regard, I would like to mention that Kazakhstan is one of the rear countries that have a lot of ethnic minorities, but also the whole nation is living in harmony, peace and tolerance. The Kazakh people are very kind and generous especially to foreigners. I think the idea of an establishment of National Assembly of People of Kazakhstan was a great idea of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Kazakhstan is like a big boat, in which all the different races, cultures and languages are melted together, producing a great nation. I am really impressed by the Kazakh people and government for their dedicating, in order to build modern and prosperous Kazakhstan. I am sure, with their great effort and loyalty to their homeland, they will achieve that noble aspiration.

Could you kindly brief us about your professional carrier?

I was graduated from the Faculty of Economy and Political Science, Cairo University in1976 and joined the Egyptian Foreign Service in 1978. I worked in many diplomatic missions abroad, such as, Embassy of Egypt to Iraq, Sudan, Brasil, Kuwait and Great Britain. I was accredited as Ambassador in Vietnam for the period 2002-2006. I am married, my two children - son and daughter live in Cairo, both of them are university students.

Thank your for the interview.