"We aim to strengthen the multidimensional connections between our two countries, building on 120 years of diplomatic relations — a milestone we will celebrate in 2026," said Moșteanu.
Ahram Online (AO): Culture often acts as a bridge in international relations. How do you see the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) positioning Egypt on the global tourism map?
Moșteanu: First of all, allow me to say how amazed and deeply impressed we all were by the opening ceremony. It was a night long anticipated in Egypt and across the world, and those who experienced it will carry a magical memory with them forever.
It was my first time seeing the Giza Plateau, so you can imagine the unforgettable impression I leave with. I felt privileged to attend, and I am sincerely grateful to the Egyptian authorities — foremost President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi — for extending this invitation to my President.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is far more than a museum; it is Egypt's new cultural gateway. As one of the largest and most innovative museums in the world, it redefines how humanity — not only Egyptians — engages with Ancient Egyptian civilisation. Through cutting-edge museology, immersive technologies, and sustainable design, GEM presents Egypt not only as the guardian of a millennia-old heritage, but as a vibrant centre of creativity, research, and cultural innovation.
For the international community, GEM places Egypt firmly among the world's major cultural destinations — alongside the Louvre, the British Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It positions Cairo and Giza on the global cultural circuit, creating a bridge between heritage and innovation.
GEM's opening reinforces Egypt's role as a cultural hub connecting Africa, the Arab world, and Europe through knowledge and creativity. If I may borrow a term from my business background, GEM is a cultural accelerator unlike any other today.
AO: From your discussions in Cairo, how would you describe Romania's current approach to bilateral relations with Egypt?
Moșteanu: Romania's approach to Egypt is strategic, pragmatic, and forward-looking. We aim to strengthen the multidimensional connections between our two countries, building on 120 years of friendly diplomatic relations — a landmark we will celebrate in 2026.
Our bilateral relations are founded, first and foremost, on sustained political dialogue, including high-level visits and regular consultations between our foreign ministries.
A second important pillar is sectoral cooperation in areas such as energy, agriculture and food security, industrial equipment, chemicals, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals — key fields of bilateral trade in recent years, in which new initiatives are now taking shape.
The third pillar — particularly relevant in the context of this discussion on GEM — is education, culture, and people-to-people exchange. These remain at the heart of our diplomacy, enriching the other two pillars and lending them greater meaning. Romania's active presence in Egypt through film and theatre festivals, art exhibitions, and academic exchanges — involving professors, researchers, and students — makes us proud and motivates us to do more, especially for new generations in both countries.
For Romania, Egypt is an indispensable partner for regional stability, Euro-Mediterranean connectivity, and dialogue between Europe, Africa, and the Arab world. I join many voices in congratulating Egypt — and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi personally — for efforts to end the war in Gaza, working alongside President Donald Trump, and for giving hope to the region and to the world.
The recent Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh and the historic opening of GEM have placed Egypt at the centre of the international political and cultural agenda — in a way comparable, in modern history, only to the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869.
AO: Given your role as Defence Minister, what implications does Egypt–Romania defence and security cooperation have for regional stability, counterterrorism, and maritime security?
Moșteanu: Romania and Egypt both hold pivotal geopolitical positions at the crossroads of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean — regions vital for global trade and security yet severely affected by ongoing conflicts. While hope is finally possible again for Gaza and the Palestinians, in our own neighbourhood, the war continues to cause immense suffering. As a direct neighbour of Ukraine, Romania is deeply affected by the geopolitical and humanitarian consequences of Russia's war. We hope peace will come to the Black Sea region soon — a just and lasting peace based on international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
Egypt's mediation in the Gaza crisis was and remains indispensable to lasting solutions in the Middle East, in partnership with key actors, above all the United States. Romania has emphasised the humanitarian dimension of the conflict and has contributed significant aid, as well as numerous medical evacuations, especially for children and their families.
Regarding bilateral defence cooperation, my visit to the opening of GEM was memorable not only personally, but also for our military relations. On behalf of the President of Romania, I was pleased to sign, with Minister of Defence and Military Production General Abdel-Meguid Saqr, the long-awaited Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation between our two defence ministries.
Our collaboration was already active, but this MoU provides the legal framework to expand our partnership and launch new projects in key areas, including maritime security, counterterrorism, and regional stability — whether in the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, or in African peacekeeping missions where our "blue helmets" serve side by side.
AO: In practical terms, what economic benefits can Egypt expect from GEM, and how can Romanian partnerships support Egypt in leveraging the museum to attract more visitors and diversify its tourism offering?
Moșteanu: GEM's economic impact will be multidimensional and long-term. It will boost tourism and related sectors, attract global investors, and stimulate innovation across the creative industries. It is poised to become one of Egypt's strongest high-employment multipliers — extending tourists' length of stay in Cairo and diversifying the tourism offer beyond traditional itineraries. This translates into higher revenues for the hospitality, transportation, crafts, and service sectors.
For Romania, GEM serves as a platform to deepen cultural diplomacy, foster academic exchange in archaeology, and promote heritage protection. It is more than an exhibition space — it offers lectures, concerts, research facilities, and laboratories.
My presence here, on behalf of the President of Romania, also conveys encouragement for creative-industry partnerships within GEM's dynamic cultural agenda. With the support of our Embassy in Cairo and the Romanian Cultural Institute, a Romanian artist participated in the "Empower Her Art" exhibition last May — an example we intend to replicate and share with our vibrant creative community.
We also see opportunities in areas such as heritage digitisation, education, and audiovisual production — all of which bring our people closer, as strong bilateral relations must be grounded in human connections.
This landmark project opens new avenues for cooperation. These include joint exhibitions, artistic collaborations between Romanian and Egyptian filmmakers, and intercultural activities between Romanian and Egyptian museums and cultural institutions. For example, a Romanian National Television crew recently filmed two one-hour episodes in Egypt, including an interview with GEM CEO Dr Ahmed Ghoneim, to showcase Egypt in an unprecedented way for Romanian audiences. Similar initiatives — film cycles, festivals, and co-curated exhibitions — can flourish around our shared Mediterranean heritage.
Romanian tour operators and airlines can also collaborate with Egyptian partners on integrated "culture and leisure" itineraries that link GEM with other cultural landmarks. Among Romanians visiting Egypt, GEM has already become a must-see, encouraging longer stays in Cairo to fully experience the museum.
GEM's expertise in digitalisation, AR/VR, preventive conservation, and smart ticketing could inspire the modernisation of Romanian cultural institutions. Conversely, Romania boasts one of Europe's strongest IT sectors with top talent in AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, deep tech, and more. Egypt stands to gain significant benefits from Romania's five major technical universities, which produce 125,000 graduates annually, and approximately 45,000 IT&C companies. Many of these niche domains align with GEM's forward-looking vision and can support its continuous evolution.
Short link: