By Iqbal Tamimi

Over 400 people gathered yesterday 6^th June, 2012 at the Swedish Embassy in Cairo to celebrate the Swedish National Day, an annual event organized by the embassy to share with Egyptians this day of pride symbolizing Sweden’s traditions of supporting democracy and promoting an international respect of other nations' cultures.

Among many respected guests who participated in this event was Dr. Hisham Kandil, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; Dr. Abdel Kawy Khalifa, Governor of Cairo; Dr. Mahmoud Azzab, Counsellor of the Imam of Al-Azhar.

During her opening speech, Swedish Ambassador, Malin Karre, saluted the young and brave generation of Egyptians who started the process of political transformation in Egypt: “As we stand here on this day the Egyptian political transition is moving forward almost hour by hour. The road is bumpy. There are backlashes.  But there is still some way to reach the ultimate goal, a civil democratic Egypt with full respect for human rights” she said.

Commenting on the Presidential elections, Swedish Ambassador said: “A new Egyptian president has to be an inclusive president for all Egyptians, irrespective of them being men or women, young or old, Muslim or Christian, poor or rich, urban or rural. The Egyptian people can never go back to the state of fear that was their fate for so many years.”

The Swedish National Day was organized in collaboration with a number of Swedish companies, such as: Electrolux/Olympic Group, Ericsson, Gambro, Oriflame, Skanska, Swedish Group, Swegypt, Tetra Pak and Volvo.