Qatari-Egyptian relations set sights on broader horizons

Doha, The Gulf Observer: President of the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt H E Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to the State of Qatar comes within the framework of the growing good relations between the two countries and their brotherly people, and as an affirmation of the mutual keenness and common willingness of the leaderships of both countries to develop and bolster these relations and advance them towards broader horizons in various fields.

The visit of HE the Egyptian President to Doha is of particular importance in terms of its timing, as it comes before the launch of the Arab League Summit in Algeria due in Nov. and the 77th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York. It also coincides with a number of accelerating international developments, particularly with regard to the situation and developments in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. These developments require increasing and intensifying consultation and coordination between both countries regarding all developments and various issues affecting Arab security, aspirations and legitimate rights of the brotherly Arab peoples, to achieve Arab unity and regional security and stability, as well as serving Arab interests and positions in various forums and boosting their immunity amid all challenges and dangers.

President El-Sisi’s current visit to Doha and the talks that will take place during it constitute a new promising phase and an important station in the course of bilateral relations between Doha and Cairo, and promoting them to the level of promising and fruitful partnerships to serve the common interests of the two countries and brotherly peoples and the higher interests of the Arab and Islamic nations.

The Qatari-Egyptian ties are anchored in a firm belief in the unity of objectives and common destiny, and the important strategic dimension and weight the two sides represent for each other. The bilateral relations also are based on deep-rooted and sincere historic bonds between both countries and their brotherly peoples in several political, social and economic sectors. The first ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Arab Republic of Egypt submitted his credentials in 1972, and the first ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Qatar presented his credentials in the same year.

Over the long history of relations with the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar has been keen to build these relations on mutual appreciation and respect in view of Egypt’s prestigious value based on its long history.

The relations between both countries are regulated by a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding that cover the political, commercial, economic and labor sectors as well as the promotion and protection of mutual investments in addition to air transport, youth, sports, education, scientific research, the media and cultural fields and cultural and archaeological cooperation.

The Qatari-Egyptian relations are witnessing a movement of active contacts and mutual visits in a bid to enhance them for the benefit of the two countries and peoples, and support and activate the mechanisms of joint Arab action. On June 24, H H the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt at the invitation of his brother President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. During the visit, the Amir and President El-Sisi held an official session of talks at the Al Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, which dealt with relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to boost and develop them in various fields, particularly in the fields of investment, energy, defense, culture and sports. The talks also discussed a number of current issues on the regional and international arenas, and exchanged views on them, especially the developments in the Middle East region.

The visit H H the Amir paid to the Arab Republic of Egypt constituted a prominent station in the course of relations between Doha and Cairo, and opened new and broad horizons for the development and enhancing bilateral relations to cover large areas of political, economic and other files and issues, and to promote joint Arab action, particularly amid the current challenges facing the region and the world.

At the same time in Cairo, a meeting was held between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt H E Sameh Shoukry that focused on bilateral relations and the importance of bolstering cooperation and coordination in various fields. The two sides hailed the work of the members of the joint bilateral committees, through which a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding were sealed, and consensus was reached on the topics listed on their agendas, in a way that serves the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples.

The Qatar-Egypt Follow-up Committee held its seventh meeting in Doha in Sep. last year, and the Qatar-Egypt Legal Committee held its sixth meeting on 13-14 Sep. last year in Doha. These meetings culminated in coming to terms on many topics on the committees agendas and signing a number of bilateral agreements to enhance cooperation and coordination between the relevant agencies.

The Qatar Postal Services Company (Qatar Post) signed with the Egyptian National Post Organization an agreement and protocol in the field of postal cooperation. Also, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority and Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation also signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of air transport.

This step comes within the framework of strengthening relations of cooperation and coordination between both countries.

This comes amid consultations between both countries to expand and increase investments in new areas, most notably the energy projects, raise the volume of trade exchange, and facilitate and remove obstacles that hinder mutual investments.

During her participation in the Qatar Economic Forum Powered by Bloomberg in June, Former Minister of Trade and Industry of the Arab Republic of Egypt H E Nevin Gamea discussed with the Qatari side investment opportunities in the field of manufacturing, specialized industries, textiles and leather industries as a type of partnership between the two sides, and said that both sides were communicating to pay the way for opening the capital of Egyptian companies to the Qatari business sector.