Mexican ambassador's remarks came during the celebration of 114th of the National Day of Mexico, held at the ambassador’s residence in Maadi on 19 September, in the presence of diplomatic corps members in Egypt.

"We share an alignment on many themes of the international agenda makes close collaborators in the tireless pursuit of solutions to the pressing challenges that affect our peoples, challenges that transcend borders across the Global South," said Gutiérrez.

The Mexican ambassador highlighted the special ties between the two nations.

“Despite the geographic distance, the coincidence of values, traditions, and ideals with Egypt makes us special friends and partners through multiple communicating vessels,” added Gutiérrez.

According to Gutiérrez, Egypt and Mexico share monumental architectural heritage, reflecting their ancestors' cosmogony, the reverence for the divine, and their beliefs about life, death, and beyond — traditions that continue to influence their modern architecture.

“This is present, for instance, in the work that the renowned Mexican architect Víctor Legorreta is unfolding at the American University in Cairo and Gouna,” she said.

"Moreover, as friends, we celebrate the rich historical development of our ancient civilizations, which have left an indelible mark on universal history. From our pyramids and temples, gods and kings, myths and realities, we have created cultures in a constant state of evolution. We strive to balance the demands of modern times with the enduring legacy of the past,” she added.

Mexico and Egypt as cultural powerhouses
 

Mexico and Egypt, as cultural powerhouses, share to their credit a literary production that has influenced the intellectual international landscape. 

“We both have Novel laureates: Octavio Paz (1990) and Naguib Mahfuz (1988) whose literary contributions continue to shape and inspire generations worldwide. For example, Mahfuz’s famous work, El Callejón de los Milagros (Zuqaq El Midaq), was taken to the big screen by the Mexican filmmaker Jorge Fons, starring Salma Hayek,” she said. 

According to Gutiérrez, literary collaboration reached new heights this year by establishing a contest to translate Mexican literature into Arabic, thanks to the National Centre of Translators.

“Now, as a result of its second edition, you can find in Arabic 'The White Dragon and Other Forgotten Characters' by the Mexican author Adolfo Córdova,” said Gutiérrez.

Other common grounds
 

The Mexican ambassador noted that Mexicans and Egyptians take pride in their rich gastronomy and culinary traditions, as they share a deep appreciation for the power of food in bringing people together.

“Whether it’s the comforting warmth of a morning foul plate in Egypt or black beans in Mexico, our cuisines reflect rich histories and the importance we place on family and traditions; all these ties are complemented by shared challenges," she said.

"As nations of migration, we understand the experience of having loved ones abroad and the importance of extending a hand to those from outside. The protection of our cultural heritage is fundamental for both countries," she added.

"The search for and recovery of historical artefacts stolen or taken out of our countries illegally have opened new avenues for extensive cooperation. Thank you, Dr Zahi Hawass for your contribution to this end," she said.

“We are also nations that stand in solidarity with our brothers, mediating conflicts and building bridges through dialogue and peace,” Gutiérrez noted.

“This commitment has been internationally recognized through two extraordinary figures who embody our pacifist foreign policies: Nobel Peace Prize laureates Anwar El-Sadat (1978) and Alfonso García Robles (1982). Their tireless efforts for peace and the defense of international law continue to shape the foreign policies of both countries in these challenging times," she added.

"We are confident that Mexico and Egypt will continue to support each other's tireless efforts to achieve peace for our people and those in conflict,” concluded Gutiérrez.