Balanced international relations based on mutual interests and respect to sovereignty and internal affairs of other countries have been tenets of Egypt’s foreign policy during the past eight years.
Within this context, Egypt has made clear its non-aligned stand towards regional and international issues while working on building regional alliances for the sake of enhancing co-operation in all possible fields.
So, following years of political, social and economic unrest from 2011-2014, which had an impact on foreign policy orientations, Egypt has successfully managed to reposition itself in Africa, the Arab World, the Middle East and the Mediterranean region.
In fact, Egypt’s strategic geographical location, military strength and cultural weight had always entitled it to assume a leading regional role.
During the period from the l950s up until the mid-70s, Egypt was more inclined to the Eastern bloc and then it made a shift westwards, building strategic relations with the US in particular.
However, Egypt today is keen on building strategic partnerships with all international powers across the globe.
Its non-aligned policy has clearly manifested itself with regard to the present war in Ukraine, as Egypt refused to get stuck in a state of polarisation between the US and Europe on the one hand and Russia on the other. By denouncing the war itself and calling for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, Egypt maintains good relations with all parties involved in the war.
In view of such a balanced policy, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has recently participated, via video conference, in two important events of global concern; one held in Russia and the other in the US. He addressed the 25th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, held under the auspices of President Putin and the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change hosted by US President Joe Biden.
Cairo has become of late a meeting point for Arab and African leaders with the aim of coordinating stands on certain issues and boosting bilateral co-operation.
This week Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman paid a visit to Egypt to discuss with President Sisi a number of issues including the two countries’ aligned stands towards the war in Ukraine, ahead of the US President Biden’s visit to the kingdom next month.
A few days earlier, Sharm el-Sheikh hosted a summit meeting of President Sisi, King Abdullah II of Jordan and King Hamad Bin Eissa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain.
Coordination for joint Arab moves at various levels is actually a pillar of Egypt’s present-day diplomacy in light of regional and international challenges. Egypt has chosen a balanced approach in its relation with other countries to preserve its national security and play an effective role in securing world peace.
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