Furthering economic and cultural ties in support of Serbia’s membership in the Francophonie. Ambassador of Egypt in Belgrade leads a Diplomatic Francophone Delegation to Niš
Niš, November 17, 2021. Within the efforts to expand the cooperation between Serbia and Francophone countries, and following a fruitful visit to Province of Vojvodina and City of Novi Sad Month, Ambassador of Egypt in Belgrade Amr Aljowaily led a Diplomatic Francophone Delegation to Niš . The delegation of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Belgrade presided by Ambassador Amr Aljowaily met with Mayor of the City of Niš, Ms. Dragana Sotirovski at the seat of the city council, and visited University of Niš received by the Rector Prof. Dr. Dragan Antić and Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Ms. Natalija Jovanović, and Head of Department for French language, Mr. Ivan Jovanović.
“The meeting with the Mayor of Niš set the framework of cooperation between Niš as regional centre and Francophone countries in diverse fields including cultural, economic and educational”, said Ambassador of Egypt, Amr Aljowaily, current chair of Group of Francophone Ambassadors in Belgrade. He welcomed the visit starting January 22, 2022 by Mayor to Sharm El Sheikh, heading a delegation including select representatives of Government, cultural, business and media spheres, who would witness the signing of the Friendship Agreement between the City of Niš and the City of Sharm El Sheikh which was just approved by the Serbian Government. “The visit will witness the first ever round of Serbian Cultural Days, hosted by the Governor of South Sinai”, highlighted Aljowaily. He invited the participation of wide Chambers of Commerce, business sectors, academic institutions and cultural and media spheres. Aljowaily presented a gift of traditional Egyptian tent handcraft “khayameya” as a token souvenir to Mayor of Nis noting this unique art was featured by the Serbian post authority by issuing as stamp celebrating the day of Africa earlier this year.
The meeting with the Rector of University of Niš, Prof. Dr. Dragan Antić, focused on exploring potential for further development of academic ties with francophone universities, while also touching on the promising possibility for cooperation with the Salman University in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. “Egypt is a leading country in the International Organization of the Francophonie as a founding member and having held the post of the first Secrettary General through the late Dr. Boutros Boutros Ghaly”, added Aljowaily noting that “Egypt is the only African and Arab country to host an operational body of the organization represented by University Senghor in Alexandria. “We congratulate Serbia’s upgraded engagement with the organization becoming an associate member and we are supportive of its efforts to become a full member”, said Aljowaily.
Ambassador of Egypt revealed that he also proposed the organization of the rising Egyptian pianist Mohamed Shams for a special performance in Nis from 14 to 19 December, 2021 as an early celebration of Christmas. “This exceptional activity is offered to crown the Embassy’s cultural activities in the city which also witnessed the visit by the Cairo Opera House modern dance troop in 2019”, remarked Aljowaily.
Upon arrival, the Ambassadors of the Francophonie explored the natural beauty of the southern region by visiting hidden gem of Sićevačka klisura in cooperation with the Tourism organization of Niš.
