Chairman of Al-Gomhouria Center for Political and Security Studies (Egypt) Sameh Seif ELYAZAL recently visited Ukraine for the first time. He took part in the Fifth Kyiv Security Forum as the official representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Day used this opportunity to find out firsthand how Egyptian people see their future after the Arab Spring in the country that is more than 5,000 years old, what is Cairo’s attitude to the attempts of Turkey to influence the situation in this region, and whether the change of power in Egypt affected its relations with Ukraine in any way.
“I don’t think we have any sensitivity with this region at all. In fact, Egypt enjoys very good relations with Ukraine. The trade between these two countries is very big. Only one product last year Egypt imported for 1 billion dollars, steel, from Ukraine. Only one product. Egypt is the largest importer of Ukrainian corn. It’s number-one in Ukraine. And third – for wheat. So the commercial trade between Egypt and Ukraine is very good, excellent. Billions of dollars every year.”
Some Turkish experts consider that after Arab Spring Turkey refused from the policy of “zero problems with its neighbors” and is trying to influence the course of the events in the neighboring states. In particular, the Turkish government supported revolutions in Northern Africa and Middle East. Is the region facing a threat of “Ottomanization” of the region?
“We were actually colonized by Ottomans long time ago. And Muhammad Ali came to Egypt and he did the good things and few things which we don’t believe are good. But at the end of The Day it’s a colonial issue. Right now we are enjoying very good relations with Turkey. Excellent relations. In fact, one of the good things which Muhammad Ali did – and the Ottoman regime – is establishing of the Egyptian army. And since that time the Egyptian army actually was established by Ottomans, by Muhammad Ali. In fact, our last king, Farouk I, kicked out by the revolution in 1942, was a grandson of Muhammad Ali. So, yes, we have some influence, Ottoman influence in Asia – not anymore. But we don’t have issue with that.”
Even considering the fact that last year after the Arab Spring Turkey’s prime minister supported the Muslim Brothers?
“He visited Egypt.”
As far as I know, Turkish president also paid a visit to Cairo.
“Yes, exactly. And the president. And they met with everyone. They invited me, I had a dinner with them. The impact of that visit is very normal. I don’t think anybody is thinking of it seriously. But we know that Turkey is an Islamic system. And they are supporting any Islamic systems in the area. That’s why I think they did… it’s a kind of normal support. We are not really upset about that.”
Was not there any concern that if Muslim Brothers win the majority at the parliamentary elections, they will start to implement Islam laws?
“There is definitely an Islamic wave in Egypt now after the revolution, that’s for sure and that Islamic wave is normal not only in Egypt. The entire Arab Spring is an Islamic wave.”
In which way is it normal?
“Normal means natural, because the entire Arab Spring is Islamic. Tunisia, Bahrain, Libya, Syria, Yemen, so the entire Arab Spring is Islamic. So Egypt is the same. Some people in Egypt don’t like that. They believe we have to have liberal and civilian government, civilian system, not Islamic system. The Islamists in our country believe that in the coming Constitution they will state that Egypt is a civilian country, not Islamic country. That’s what they said. That’s a promise. Hopefully, it will happen.”
How do most Egyptians see the country’s future development? Do they prefer Western style, Abu-Dhabi style, Islamic or else?
“No, I think we have to have Egyptian style. Egypt is 5,000 years old. And we were before everybody. So, we have our style, we have our characteristics.”
Could you describe them?
“Egyptian is not completely Arab style, because we have our civilization. We have the ancient Egyptian civilization. We have the Egyptian culture. We are different. I’m not a snob, saying that because we are the best people in the world, no, but this is reality. We are five to seven thousand years old. And we have our civilization, our culture. We are a balancing area. The Egyptian style is different from others.”
What is your opinion concerning the role of the US and Israel in this region?
“The United States will keep the relations with Egypt in a good way. It has to. It has no choice.”
Why?
“Because Egypt has Suez Canal. And US military navy needs to go to Iran. It needs to go near the Gulf area. And the US has its own airbases. It has its own navy bases. So it needs to use the Suez Canal. The US won’t jeopardize the relations with Egypt. That’s why it will maintain good relations with Egypt. For its own interests, not the Egyptian interests. This is number one. Number two. I don’t think any systems, even Islamic systems in Egypt, will cut the relations with Israel.”
Because you have agreements with Israel?
“Exactly. The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty is still there. For 33 years now. And I think it will be like that for a while because we have a border now with Asia, with Israel, that border is not anymore in a war zone. It is a peace border now. I’d like to keep that.”
Were you present when Obama delivered his speech in Cairo?
“I was invited there.”
What do you think about the consequences of this speech?
“Nothing. It was a very good speech, but nothing after that.”
What will happen if Republican Mitt Romney becomes president?
“He will support Israel. And definitely he will put Israel before anybody, which is expected. We understand that it is so because of the relations between the US and Israel, and of course the coalition between them. We don’t mind that. But we need them to understand very well the Palestinian issue as well as Egypt’s and I think that they will.”
What do you think concerning this Iranian problem?
“I don’t think that Israel will bomb Iran soon. I don’t think so. I think the military solution will be the last one. So right now United States does not want Israel to do that. Will keep the diplomatic way and the sanctions on the pressure of Iran for a while.”
Recently there have been reports that three prominent leaders were removed from the race. Will you comment on this?
“Ten people have been cancelled, big three among them. I think there will be a second round. It’s not going to be finished with the first round. So we will have a second round between Islamists and Liberals.”
Why are these presidential elections important for the country?
We need it for the stability. Definitely it’s going to be very important for our stability, followed by the referendum of the Constitution. It’s very important. Then you will have everything on hand. New parliament, new Shura Council, a new president elected, as well as new Constitution, and the new president will elect a new prime minister, a new Cabinet. I think then we will have some stability after that.”
Before the Arab Spring, Egypt had been considered the main power in this region. Now Turkey is trying to overtake this role. What can you say about this?
“Turkish role is different from the Egyptian role. Definitely. And Iranian role as well, because Iran wants to play a big role in the region. Turkey wants to play a big role. But the Egyptian role will still be the same. Egyptian influence is different than anyone’s, than Turkish one. The weight of Egypt is immense, and nobody can actually change it.”
Because of the population size?
“Not only the population size. Egyptian doctors, engineers, Egyptian culture. We are producing movies, television programs for everybody, I mean Egypt is a big country. So nobody can change this. I’m not afraid of that.”
