In an official announcement, the Arterial Network stated that Emad Abu Ghazi, Egypt's culture minister, Egypt’s intention “to enhance and build strong cultural ties with all African countries”. An Arterial Network press release circulated in many African countries among cultural institutions and individuals active in the arts said "Abu Ghazi denounced ousted President Hosni Mubarak's policies towards Africa, describing Egypt's neglect of its neighbours and the continent at large during the Mubarak era as a crime. The culture minister pointed out that the long-awaited Luxor festival will be inaugurated in January with every single African state invited."
The Arterial Network is a body formed to support and encourage the growth of African arts, and includes individuals, organisations, donors, companies and institutions working in the cultural arena all across Africa.
In March 2011, together with six other African countries, UNESCO and the European Union added Egypt – represented by Basma El Husseiny – to a database of 30 technical experts providing cultural-policy assistance to developing countries. This is Egypt’s first active involvement in a continuously expanding Arterial Network.
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