Egypt - Foreign Relations
Geography, population, history, military strength, and diplomatic expertise give Egypt extensive political influence in the Middle East and within the Non-Aligned Movement as a whole. Cairo has been a crossroads of Arab commerce and culture for millennia, and its intellectual and Islamic institutions are at the center of the region's social and cultural development.
The Arab League headquarters is in Cairo, and the Secretary General of the League is traditionally an Egyptian. Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is the present Secretary General of the Arab League. President Mubarak often chaired the African Union (formerly the Organization of African Unity). Former Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Boutros Boutros-Ghali served as Secretary General of the United Nations from 1991 to 1996.
Egypt was a key partner in the search for peace in the Middle East and resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sadat's groundbreaking trip to Israel in 1977, the 1978 Camp David Accords, and the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty represented a fundamental shift in the politics of the region--from a strategy of confrontation to one of peace as a strategic choice. Egypt was subsequently ostracized by other Arab states and ejected from the Arab League from 1979 to 1989. Egypt played an important role in the negotiations leading to the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991, which, under US and Russian sponsorship, brought together all parties in the region to discuss Middle East peace.
el-Sissi [2014-202?]
The 2013 military coup was welcomed by Gulf monarchies like Saudi Arabia, who viewed the rise of civilian movements and parties like the Muslim Brotherhood during the Arab uprisings as threats to their dynastic rule. As such, Saudi Arabia and UAE were among the first countries to call the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation after such a designation in Egypt.
Soon after the 2013 coup, the UAE transferred $3 billion to Egypt, and Saudi Arabia offered $5 billion, including a $2 billion central bank deposit, $2 billion in energy products, and $1 billion in cash. As Egypt continues its suppression of civil society organisations, the more aid from the Gulf countries fill and reinforce the current structures in Egypt. By early 2015, Egypt had received $23 billion in aid from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
The Muslim Brotherhood is backed by Qatar, which was the target of a region-wide boycott in June 2017 led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Egypt also was a part of the boycott. This cooperation, including over Hamas and the Gaza Strip, is also in line with Saudi Arabia and Israel’s efforts to curb growing Iranian influence in the region.
Increasing securitisation and militarisation of Egyptian policy goes hand in hand with Egypt’s transforming regional orientation, which has helped entrench Sisi’s power and position. In recent years, Egypt has engaged in military and security cooperation with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and even longtime regional enemy, Israel, all of which back the current military regime.
Turkey and Egypt were on the same side in conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq, and their coalitions’ abilities to fight could be damaged if their relationship crumbled. Turkey and Egypt maintained normal relations despite the squabble.
On February 10, 2015 Russia and Egypt signed several agreements to reinforce military and economic ties, along with a deal to help Cairo develop nuclear power capabilities. The agreements capped a two-day visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who wanted to show that Russia continued to be involved in the Middle East. Sissi said the battle the Egyptian Army is waging against Islamist militants in the Sinai and elsewhere created an urgent need for Egypt to increase military cooperation with Russia.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi promised Israel on 17 May 2016 warmer ties if it accepted efforts to resume peace talks with the Palestinians, urging Israeli leaders not to waste an opportunity to bring security and hope to a troubled region.
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