On July 20, His Excellency Mr. Khalid Ibrahim Emara, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Bulgaria, gave a reception at his residence on the occasion of the country's National Day.

He was honored by representatives of the Bulgarian institutions, ambassadors, diplomats, cultural figures, journalists, friends of Egypt. Among the official guests were: H. M. Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the Minister of Energy - Mr. Alexander Nikolov, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs - Mrs. Velislava Petrova, the Deputy Minister of Defense - Mr. Stanimir Georgiev, the Deputy Minister of tourism - Mrs. Mariela Modeva, the deputy in the European Parliament - Mr. Andrey Kovachev.

His Excellency Mr. Khalid Ibrahim Emara addressed his guests with welcoming words:

Good afternoon,

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear friends,

It is my privilege today to host you at the Egyptian Residence.

Today we are gathered to celebrate the National Day of Egypt. This Day commemorates the 70th anniversary of the 23rd of July 1952 Revolution, which marked the beginning of the road to establish the new Republic.

This year’s celebration coincides with the tireless efforts by the Egyptian State to modernize the country. Far-reaching infrastructure projects are underway including ports, highways, industrial parks and the Suez Canal Special Economic Zone, new urban centers and cities including the New Administrative Capital, and desert land reclamation projects.

In parallel with efforts to modernize and upgrade the infrastructure, the Egyptian State is determined to advance education, health-care and social services. The "Decent Life Initiative" represents an integrated endeavor by State institutions, private sector, civil society and Development partners in Egypt to deliver sustainable development for about 55 million Egyptians living in the country side.

It seeks to invest in human and social capital. Interventions include medical and educational services, economic empowerment particularly for women and youth, environmental protection, housing and upgrading of the infrastructure.

On another note, this year Egypt will host the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change (COP-27). This global event represents a fresh opportunity for the world to collectively strive to fulfill commitments to meet the targets of curbing harmful emissions. We are looking forward to contribute together to the implementation of pledges to mobilize climate finance to developing countries, particularly in Africa.

I take this opportunity today to underline the continuous progress registered in promoting bilateral relations between Egypt and Bulgaria. Our two countries are not only bound by deep historical ties, but by profound friendship and understanding between the two peoples, and the intense interaction between the two leaderships. I am confident that this positive trajectory of advancing relations between Cairo and Sofia will continue.

Finally, I would like to wish you an enjoyable evening, and to encourage you to try the different Egyptian food specialties.

And the guests really enjoyed them. As well as the wonderful harp performances by Ms. Raina Zlateva.

Photos provided by the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Above: H. E. Mr. Khalid Ibrahim Emara, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Bulgaria