Eastward ho

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The Eurasian tour of President Hosni Mubarak, which started yesterday, spells a new beginning for Egypt's relationship with Asia and Russia -- which straddles both Europe and Asia. Mubarak is scheduled to visit Russia, China and Kazakhstan -- three of the world's fastest- growing emerging economies. Russia and Kazakhstan are awash with natural resources, and both Russia and China are industrial giants. Indeed, the visit is extremely timely.

The three countries that Mubarak is visiting have much to offer on the political and economic fronts. With the return of Moscow's influence in the Middle East, especially in relation to Iran and to the Arab-Israeli conflict, Russia, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is certainly an important old partner to re-engage. Relations between Cairo and Moscow have had their ups and downs during the years of late presidents Nasser and Sadat. Mubarak managed to streamline these relations, but now is the time to take them to wider vistas of political cooperation especially in view of the compatible views that both countries have on central issues -- the right of Palestinians to have an independent and viable state; the need to prevent any race of nuclear armament in the Middle East; and the urgency of preventing the further deterioration of the deplorable situation in Iraq.

These are objectives that Beijing, another veto power- wielding member of the UN Security Council, also shares. And, these are issues that need serious regional and international cooperation.

So while the final say in world affairs might be made in the White House, it is important for Egypt, a regional power in its own right, to secure enough world support for its agenda of regional stability.

Moreover, Mubarak's visit -- that comes against a backdrop of two years of no presidential trips to Washington -- serves as a good reminder to the "American friend" that Egypt is not being painted as an "Arab US ally" -- Egypt is far too big for this humble positioning.

Indeed, reaching out to one of the most influential countries of Central Asia, Kazakhistan, is a clear message about the true weight and wide diplomatic interests that Cairo holds.

Moreover, Mubarak's trip offers an excellent opportunity to pursue closer economic cooperations with these three countries. The trip is well-timed. Indeed, it re-emphasises the close ties that Egypt traditional had with the powers of the East. Egypt has invested much in Mubarak's Eurasian tour. This trip should be followed by another presidential trip to India, yet another old friend of Egypt, and other nations in Central Asia and the former communist countries of Eastern Europe that are currently poised to join the European Union.