From the Nile to the Balkans

2026-07-03 13:05:00, Opinione Dr.Arben Ramkaj

If you sit on the banks of the Nile for an afternoon and let its gentle flow guide your thoughts, you will realize that the water remembers not only the places it flows through, but also the people who have shaped its history. Centuries ago, a young man from the Balkans brought with him the spirit of the Albanian mountains and the horizon of the sea to rewrite the fate of this ancient land. Mehmet Ali Pasha did not just change the course of Egyptian history; he sowed the seeds of an enduring friendship, which today, in a world troubled by profound geopolitical changes, is once again flourishing as a vital bridge between Europe and Africa.

Any reflection on modern Egypt must begin with the state-building vision of this prominent figure of Albanian origin. Born in Kavala, to a family with documented roots in Zëmblak, Korça, he arrived on the banks of the Nile to write one of the most important chapters in the history of modern Egypt. Breaking the shackles of stagnation, Mehmet Ali and his dynasty led Egypt for nearly 150 years. They built a modern army, consolidated the state administration, and gave the country the consciousness of a regional power. This legacy, widely documented in Arab and European historiography, remains a strong spiritual bridge between the Albanian and Egyptian people.
Today’s Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is consolidating its position as a regional power and strategic actor on the African continent. Through giant infrastructure projects, from the New Administrative Capital to the expansion of intercontinental corridors such as the Egypt-Libya-Chad axis, the country is investing in new arteries of economic integration. By supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area and South-South cooperation, Egypt is emerging as an important engine of stability and economic development in Africa.

This continental role is naturally reflected in relations with the Balkans and Albania, which have entered a new phase of development. The reactivation of the Joint Economic Commission has opened up new opportunities for investment in trade, science and technology. Agreements between the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) and the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones of Egypt demonstrate concrete economic interest, while initiatives for the movement of labor and the engagement of Egyptian professionals in Albania show that cooperation is turning into real economic interdependence.
Innovation knows no geographical boundaries. One of the most ambitious initiatives is the concept of a submarine fiber optic cable that would connect Albania with Egypt. This project aims to transform Albania into a digital hub for Europe, while Egypt into the main gateway for data transmission to Africa and Asia. Although still in the conceptual phase, this initiative proves that the two countries share not only a historical heritage, but also the ambition to build together the strategic infrastructure of the 21st century.

This vision is consistent with the diplomatic and geopolitical weight that Egypt has historically wielded as one of the leading voices in the Arab world. President Anwar Sadat remains a symbol of political courage in the search for peace, while today Egypt plays a decisive role in brokering ceasefires in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in managing crises in Libya, Sudan and Somalia. Alongside this political influence, Egypt continues to exercise great cultural and religious power through Al-Azhar University, the most prestigious institution of Sunni Islam.
At the conclusion of this shared journey, the time has come to take a new step. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Egypt, I propose the creation of the 'Mehmet Ali Pasha' Center for Global Civilization, with headquarters in Albania and Egypt. This center can serve as an institutional bridge between Europe and Africa, a platform for intercontinental dialogue, a scientific incubator for technology, and a center of excellence for global challenges, from climate change to food security. Drawing on the Albanian model of interfaith harmony and the moderate tradition of Al-Azhar, it will contribute to promoting tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
Mehmet Ali Pasha saw in Egypt the opportunity to build a modern state. Today, through the strategic partnership between Cairo and Tirana, this spirit can take on a new dimension. By combining their economic, technological, cultural, and human potential, Albania and Egypt are not only strengthening bilateral relations; they have the historic opportunity to build a new bridge of cooperation between Europe and Africa for decades to come.

Dr. Arben Ramkaj
Chairman of the Institute for Cultural and Interreligious Dialogue in Albania
Director of the Department of the Middle East and the Muslim World
Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS)