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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 June 1999 Issue No. 434 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 June 1999 Issue No. 434
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Living Travel Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters A fulcrum of stability
By Ibrahim Nafie
President Mubarak's recent tour of Algeria and Morocco was more than just a working visit to stimulate Egypt's relations with these two North African countries. The visit also marked the beginning of a new phase in Egypt's endeavours to strengthen Arab ties.
The political agenda in talks with Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika and King Hassan II of Morocco accorded top priority to stimulating joint Arab action and convening an expanded Arab summit.
The call for a summit reflects an acute understanding of the delicate circumstances affecting Arab relations. In this context, Egypt's concern for enhancing ties with Algeria and Morocco is an extension of the important work Cairo has undertaken to draw closer to the Syrian and Palestinian leaders. Without such efforts, a summit will not offer a practical framework for Arab action.
Egypt has taken other practical steps toward creating a climate conducive to an Arab summit. In Algiers and Rabat, President Mubarak encouraged the activities of the Egyptian-Algerian and Egyptian-Moroccan higher joint committees for bilateral economic integration. His efforts met with considerable success. Egypt and Morocco have signed agreements for closer cooperation in transport, agriculture, health, technology and fighting crime. This progress in Egyptian-Moroccan relations inspired new ideas on the Egyptian-Algerian higher joint committee.
Egypt also reiterated its desire to become a member of the Maghreb Union. Egypt sees such membership above all as a way to capitalise on the progress achieved in bilateral relations by fostering closer links with Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania.
If such collective action can be achieved, it will open the door to greater effectiveness in two areas. The first is at the level of Mediterranean relations. This subject was of particular concern to the Egyptian-Moroccan higher joint committee, which discussed the results of the Stuttgart conference on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, and which stressed the need for a practical, comprehensive strategy. If the high level of coordination between Egypt and Morocco on the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership could be expanded to the Maghreb Union, inclusive of Egypt, far more significant results could be achieved, not only with regard to promoting cooperation and integration, but also in the sphere of communal action within the partnership. A collective approach will be far more effective than the individual approach which has characterised relations with the Euro-Med grouping until now.
The second area that can be improved is the project of an Arab Common Market. Egypt's membership in the Maghreb Union and the consequent promotion of economic integration that would ensue would certainly create a sturdy foundation for a common market. This possibility was palpable in the recent meeting of the Egyptian-Moroccan higher joint committee in Casablanca, as reflected in the call for concrete implementation of the Agreement to Facilitate and Develop Trade between Arab Nations, perceived as a step toward creating an Arab free zone prior to establishing a common market.
The results of the recent third session of the Egyptian-Moroccan committee gave tangible form to the contention that bilateral relations can provide a powerful impetus towards economic integration. The agreements signed by the two parties will enter into immediate effect; the agreement on a free trade zone became effective last April. Further, steps have been taken to establish commercial centres and trade fairs, enhance cooperation between export development centres and stock markets, and intensify interaction between business communities. This year witnessed the meeting of the Moroccan-Egyptian businessmen's council in February, and the meeting of the joint chambers of commerce in June.
In his visit to Morocco, President Mubarak was keen to convey his vision of Egyptian-Moroccan relations within the context of Egyptian-North African relations, which, in turn, will serve as a building block for the creation of an Arab Common Market. Stressing Egypt's focal role in Arab relations, the president explained that this country, in seeking to enhance its relations with North Africa, is not turning its back on the Arab countries of the east, but rather is "redressing the balance". Greater equilibrium in Arab relations will follow, permitting for greater dynamism in joint Arab action. Egypt's membership in many bilateral committees has the potential to contribute to a higher degree of Arab economic integration, particularly as mutual interests and goals develop.
Interdependence has become the predominant trait of the international economy. Only by fostering mutual reliance and common interests can countries minimise the risk of conflict by raising the stakes incumbent upon strife. Egypt's desire to restore balance in its Arab relations and, thereby, to serve as a fulcrum of equilibrium between the Arab east and the Arab west, is a fundamental facet of its foreign policy outlook as President Mubarak embarks on his new term of office. Rather than seeking to impose its leadership, Egypt seeks to foster harmony and trust in Arab relations.
Yet Egypt realises that Arab unity cannot be imposed from above. Rather, it must be built from the bottom up through concerted efforts and informed choices on the optimal ways of expanding mutual interests and capitalising on collective gains. This is why Egypt has focused on intensifying cooperation with the other Arab countries, and has worked to create so many higher joint committees with other Arab countries. It is the president's aim to generate a vast network of bilateral relations in which Egypt is the common denominator, in the hope that this network will ultimately weave a dense fabric of solid mutual interests.
When this is achieved, we will no longer find it so difficult to call for an Arab summit, and we will no longer hesitate to declare our common stand to the world. We will have demonstrated, to ourselves and to others, our ability to shape our own future.
