Successive Egyptian-Iranian moves increase the chances of improving relations
“Political, economic and parliamentary” movements between Egypt and Iran have increased the chances of improving relations between the two countries. This paves the way for announcing the return of relations between Cairo and Tehran. The Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives (Parliament), Hanafi Jabali, and the Speaker of the Iranian Islamic Shura Council, Muhammad Baqir Qalibaf, stressed “the importance of cooperation between Egypt and Iran,” during their meeting in Johannesburg, days after the meeting between the Egyptian Minister of Finance and the Iranian Minister of Economy. As well as a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. Meanwhile, experts said: “The recent Egyptian-Iranian meetings are an indication of the imminent return of diplomatic relations.”
The past period has witnessed frequent Iranian statements regarding rapprochement with Egypt, including what was stated by the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, last May, when he described Egypt as a “brother and friend.” He expressed his hope at the time that relations with Egypt would witness “mutual development and openness.” During the same month, the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq, visited Egypt and Iran, respectively, amid growing talk at the time about “mediation led by the Sultan of Oman within the framework of the same file,” according to reports at the time. Last August, Egypt condemned the targeting of the Shah Cheragh religious shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz.
Parliamentary relations
The Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament met with the Speaker of the Iranian Islamic Shura Council, on the sidelines of the BRICS Ninth Parliamentary Assembly in Johannesburg. The Iranian Mehr News Agency reported (Wednesday evening) that the meeting comes in light of “increasing diplomatic movements in recent months to improve relations between the two countries after several decades.”
Qalibaf pointed out that “Egypt has always been an influential country in history and Islam, and we must try to strengthen the relationship between Islamic countries in the West Asia and North Africa region.” He added, “Parliamentary cooperation representing the two countries can be (very effective) in the sustainable development of relations between the countries of North Africa and the West Asian region, and if this cooperation is achieved, there will be a clear vision for the future of the two countries in order to improve relations.”
Meanwhile, Gebali affirmed, according to Mehr Agency, “I believe that by participating in the BRICS group, we are on the right path to the development of the two countries, and we must try to increase relations and cooperation between the two countries on various issues,” inviting the President of the Islamic Shura Council to visit Cairo. “In order to develop relations between the two countries,” Ghalibaf also extended an invitation to his Egyptian counterpart to visit Tehran “in order to improve parliamentary relations between the two countries.”
Clear signals
Commenting, the former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Rakha Ahmed Hassan, told Asharq Al-Awsat: “All the recent Egyptian-Iranian meetings give (one signal), which is the near return of diplomatic relations, and (their return has become a stable issue) ); But it is being paved.” He expressed his belief that “the coming period will witness the announcement of the return of relations between the two countries.”
Regarding the presence of some demands now for Egypt to restore relations with Iran, Rakha stressed, “I do not think; Because there have been understandings and agreements between the two countries, and clarification of all previous (controversial) matters and issues, and there have been emphasises on joint cooperation between the two countries, in order to provide security for the region, and an emphasis on the necessity of preventing interference in the affairs of the countries of the region.”
Last July, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid confirmed that “as a result of the development witnessed by Iranian-Gulf relations during the recent period, some expect that it is natural for Egyptian-Iranian relations to witness a similar development.” He added, “Interaction and communication are always present and have not been interrupted at any stage.”
Part of the meeting between the Iranian and Egyptian Ministers of Economy and Finance in Sharm El-Sheikh (Fars News Agency – EX)
Economic and political cooperation
Also during this month, on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Bank meeting in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh, the Egyptian Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, and the Iranian Minister of Economy, Sayyed Ehsan Khandouzi, reviewed developments in bilateral and trade relations between the two countries.
Khandouzi stressed at the time that “Iran is ready to develop cooperation in the field of Asian banking and infrastructure,” proposing “the formation of a joint committee between the Iranian Deputy Minister of Economy and the Egyptian Deputy Minister of Finance to continue communication and follow up on the projects that were discussed.” While the Egyptian Minister of Finance indicated his country’s readiness to implement the proposals presented by his Iranian counterpart. He said: “Egypt believes that it is important to expand and develop relations with Iran.”
Also this month, discussions took place between the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, and his Iranian counterpart, Hussein Amir Abdollahian, in New York. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said: The meeting of the Iranian and Egyptian foreign ministers in New York opened a “new horizon” in the course of relations between the two countries. The Arab World News Agency also quoted the Egyptian Foreign Minister as saying that there were “positive signs” regarding relations between Egypt and Iran.
Returning to Rakha, who said: “The sum of these meetings, whether (political, economic, or parliamentary), all focus on one path, which is the nearness of restoring relations between Cairo and Tehran.”
Here, observers believe that “Cairo does not mind establishing (full) diplomatic relations with Tehran on the basis of peaceful coexistence.”
The Egyptian Foreign Minister and his Iranian counterpart during discussions in New York this month (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Last March, the Egyptian presidency appreciated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s approach to resuming diplomatic relations with Iran. According to a statement by the “Egyptian Presidency” at the time, “Egypt appreciates this important step, and values the approach taken by the Kingdom in this regard.” She added that the Saudi approach in this regard would “remove points of tension in relations at the regional level, and also confirms the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter in terms of respecting the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, consolidating the concepts of good neighborliness and enhancing security and stability in the region.” .
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2023-09-29 05:55:51
