19 December 2005 – Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration Franklin M. Ebdalin announced that Egypt has recently granted scholarships to fifteen Filipinos in the Al-Azhar University and five more for Arabic language specialization, and is committed to award more Islamic scholarships to Filipinos wishing to study at the Al-Azhar University and other institutions of higher learning in Egypt.

Undersecretary Ebdalin met with Dr. Mahmoud Zakzouk, Egyptian Minister of Al-Awqaf (Religious Affairs and Endowments) on 15 December 2005, where the Minister committed to increasing the number of scholarship grants to Filipinos.

The Undersecretary thanked Egypt for generously hosting over 400 Filipino Islamic scholars at the Al-Azhar University and other institutions of higher learning where they are exposed to the true or moderate face of Islam, and expressed his  hope to achieve full implementation of the various Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Philippine and Egyptian universities so that more Filipino Islamic scholars could gain access to the high standards of Islamic and Arabic education  that is exclusively offered in  Egypt.

Undersecretary Ebdalin led a delegation that reviewed the status of relations between the Philippines and Egypt during the 3rd RP-Egypt Bilateral Consultations held at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)  in Cairo, Egypt on 15 December 2005.

The delegation, which included Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Petronila P. Garcia, Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) Assistant Secretary Norberto R. Basilio, OMEAA-Africa Division Director Rosario P. Lemque, and Second Secretary Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil of the Philippine Embassy in Cairo as members, had frank and open discussions with their counterparts from the Egyptian MFA on all aspects of their bilateral relations and briefed each other on domestic, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ezzat Saad, head of the seven-member Egyptian delegation, welcomed the Philippine delegation and stressed the need for the consultations to be held regularly.

Undersecretary Ebdalin, for his part, thanked the Egyptian government for hosting this year's meeting, and said that the talks, which were borne out of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2000, has "enabled our two countries to evaluate the progress of our relations and set a clearer direction towards a deeper partnership."

On the economic aspect, both sides recognized the need to increase trade, deepen business contacts and exchange of information between the respective private sectors and Chambers of Commerce in both countries, and participate in each others’ trade fairs and exhibitions, citing mutual benefits from Egypt's Qualified Industrial Zone (QIZ) and the advances of the Philippines in the textile sector.

Both sides also expressed their readiness to exchange the instruments of ratification of the Philippine-Egyptian Trade Agreement signed in 1998.

On cultural issues, Assistant Secretary Saad assured the Philippines that Egypt is committed to continue providing scholarships to Philippine students.

He also commended the Embassy for successfully promoting awareness on Filipino culture through its active participation in the recently concluded Exhibition of Philippine Art and Culture held under the auspices of the Egyptian First Lady.

Both sides vowed to finalize pending trade, investment, tourism and cultural agreements.

On domestic issues, the  Undersecretary  discussed  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's political and economic reforms that have allowed the economy to grow by  more  than  6% in 2005.  He also briefed the Egyptian delegation on the situation in southern Philippines, highlighting the completion of the 1996 GRP-MNLF final peace agreement and the progress in the talks between the Philippine Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The Philippines and Egypt also briefed each other on regional and international issues of mutual interest such as the South China Sea, ASEAN, the Middle East Peace Process, and the situation in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and the occupied territories.
 
Both sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism and emphasized the moderate and tolerant nature of Islam, rejecting any attempts to associate Islam with terrorism, and highlighted the excellent political ties between the two countries that have existed since the Friendship Treaty between Egypt and the Philippines was signed in 1955.

The Philippine delegation also met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdoul Gheit on 15 December, where the results of the bilateral talks were reviewed.

On 17 December 2005, the Philippine delegation met with Dr. Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Grand Imam and Sheik of Al-Azhar University, and his Deputy Minister and Chief of Staff Omar Bastawi for further discussions on  educational cooperation, particularly on how Filipino scholars who graduated from Al-Azhar University could use their expertise for the benefit of the Filipino Muslim community. END