Ahmed Mourad (Cairo)
For over 50 years, relations between the Emirates and Egypt constituted one of the strategic stations in the path of Arab solidarity, and they complement each other. Experts told Al-Ittihad that the successive leaderships of the two countries, during the past 50 years, well understood the importance of joint relations, and worked to strengthen them through many agreements, programs and political, diplomatic, economic and military mechanisms.
strategic station
Ambassador Amin Shalaby, former Executive Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, former Assistant Foreign Minister, stressed the importance and strength of the historical relations that unite the UAE and Egypt, stressing that the joint relations between the two countries represent one of the most important strategic and vital stations in the path of Arab solidarity over the past 50 years. past.
The Egyptian diplomat explained to Al-Ittihad that the history of Emirati-Egyptian relations dates back to before the establishment of the UAE was announced on December 2, 1971, as the Egyptian memory recorded many honorable positions taken by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. In support of Egypt in the wake of the setback of June 1967, he provided a set of economic aid, in addition to his generous sponsorship of the establishment of the Sheikh Zayed neighborhood in the cities of Suez and Ismailia to address the effects of the setback.
With the announcement of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971, Egypt was quick to recognize it, and it was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the unity and sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its territory. Subsequently, Egypt was keen to support the UAE at the regional and international levels, and Cairo considered it a strong addition to the Arab countries, and a pillar of security, stability and unity in the Gulf region.
Arab heart
The former assistant to the Egyptian Foreign Minister indicated that during the first ten years of the life of the UAE state, the ties of brotherhood and strategic partnership between the UAE and Egypt deepened, and the leaders of the two countries exchanged meetings, consultations and contacts.
The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, was keen to extend bridges of cooperation with Egypt out of his belief in the pivotal role that Cairo plays in the Arab region, which he expressed in his famous saying: “Egypt for the Arabs is the heart, and if the heart dies, There is no life for Arabs.” In the late eighties of the last century, the Emirati-Egyptian relations witnessed a quantum leap, especially with the establishment of a joint higher committee between the two countries in 1988, and in the same year an agreement was signed for trade exchange, economic and technical cooperation, encouragement and protection of investments, and another agreement for joint cooperation between the Union General of the Egyptian Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the Emirates.
In the 1990s, the Emirati-Egyptian relations tended to develop further. During this period, the two countries signed many agreements and cooperation protocols, most notably an agreement for joint cooperation between the UAE Consumer Cooperative Federation and the General Federation of Egyptian Cooperatives in 1991, and the agreement to establish the UAE Business Council. The joint Egyptian agreement in 1993, and the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion in 1994.
Ambassador Mr. Shalaby said: “The UAE and Egypt are two countries that have an honorable history full of joint work and cooperation, whether at the diplomatic, political, economic or military levels, which has made their relations vital and necessary, complementing each other, and forming one of the most important alliances in the Middle East.” .
Programs and mechanisms
Dr. Nadia Helmy, professor of political science at Beni Suef University, explained in statements to Al-Ittihad that the successive leaders of the UAE and Egypt during the past 50 years have well understood the importance of joint relations between the two countries, and worked to strengthen them through many agreements, programs and political mechanisms. Diplomacy and economics.
In this context, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, was keen to establish and implement many development projects in Egypt, most notably Sheikh Zayed City, which was established in 1995 to house 150,000 people, in addition to the 50-length Sheikh Zayed Canal. Kilometers in the Toshka area to cultivate 450,000 acres, Sheikh Zayed Canal in Wadi El-Natrun, and Sheikh Zayed Canal east of the Suez Canal, which irrigates 40 thousand acres.
Dr. Nadia Helmy indicated that the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, followed the path of the founding leader, and was keen to deepen relations and ties between the Emirates and Egypt, and in this context, the two countries signed on July 22, 2008 two memoranda of understanding regarding political consultations between the two foreign ministries. The two countries, with the aim of holding regular bilateral talks to discuss relations and exchange views on regional and international issues.
continuous consultation
In the wake of the June 30, 2013 revolution, the Emirati-Egyptian relations witnessed a strong boost, as the UAE was one of the first countries that rushed to extend a helping hand to Egypt in order to help it maintain internal security and stability, and affirmed its full and continuous support for the Egyptian people.
With the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, assuming the presidency in mid-2014, and over the past eight years, Emirati-Egyptian relations have witnessed a tremendous development at all levels.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi succeeded in building strong bridges and a strong partnership between the UAE and Egypt, and the two countries agreed in February of 2017 to form a bilateral political consultation mechanism that meets every 6 months on The level of foreign ministers, and the other at the level of senior officials.
Dr. Nadia Helmy noted the strong rapprochement and understanding between the UAE and Egypt towards various issues in the Arab region, which is an inevitable result of the continuous coordination between the two countries on Arab issues such as the Palestinian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Libyan, Yemeni and Syrian issues, in light of the great convergence of visions and political positions towards these issues. the mission.
first
The UAE and Egypt are linked by a strategic economic partnership. According to the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, the UAE ranks first in terms of countries investing in Egypt with investments estimated at $6,200 billion, and about 1,250 companies with issued capital approaching $20 billion.
The Egyptian labor in the UAE is an important factor in deepening the Emirati-Egyptian ties and relations, and the Egyptian market is benefiting greatly from the Egyptian dollar transfers coming from the UAE, which played an important role in facing the repercussions of the decision to liberalize the exchange of the Egyptian pound against the dollar.
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