The secretary general of the Egyptian Fund for Technical Assistance, Ambassador Never Ashmawi, has expressed heartfelt pride for the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, for his unflinching support to the Egypt-Gambia medical cooperation.

This happened at the end of a brief visit by Ambassador Ashmawi to The Gambia, recently. The Egyptian was particularly appreciative of President Jammeh’s high consideration and regard for the Egyptian medical and pharmaceutical support to The Gambia.

"The Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh has expressed thanks to his Egyptian counterpart, President Hosni Mubarak, and the Egyptian government for the pharmaceutical aid provided by Egypt to his country," she told reporters during an encounter with the media upon arrival in Cairo. She was reported as saying that President Jammeh was keen to attend the official ceremony at the presidential palace when the pharmaceutical assistance from her country to The Gambia was being delivered. "This," she said, "is a testimony of the Gambian leader’s consideration and commitment for the cooperation between Egypt and The Gambia."

Madam Ashmawi was particularly proud of President Jammeh’s sense of humour for remembering the long way that has characterized the relationship between the two countries. She recalled that President Jammeh "pointed out during the ceremony that Egypt was the second state in the world and the first in Africa, which agreed to send doctors to The Gambia during the early days of the July 22nd Revolution.

Commenting on President Jammeh’s statement that "The Gambia will never forget this historical fact," Ambassador Ashmawi said her country will continue to stand by The Gambia whenever the need arises.