by Amira Elmofty

 

This Article will discuss Egypt MOSO countries relations, as many of MOSO countries are EU member states, the article will start with the relation between Egypt and the EU. The significance of Egypt EU relations and then some specific examples from Egypt MOSO relations would be mentioned.

EU Egypt relations:

Egypt has a special relationship to the EU, the EU is considered both an economic and a cultural power. When it comes to trading power, the European Union is one of the largest trading partners for Egypt accounting for 29.7 percent of all of Egypt’s trade. In 2018 the EU accounted for most of the tourism coming to Egypt, therefore, contributing to one of the main economic sectors in Egypt (1).

When it comes to the Egyptian side, Egypt plays a vital role in helping to control illegal migration through the Mediterranean. Additionally Egypt is considered an influential country in the stability of the MENA region. As Egypt is involved in, the conflict with Libya and it plays an influential role when it comes to grouping Palestinian factions. Third, Egypt plays an important role when it comes to cooperating with its European counterparts in combating terrorism (2).

Egypt MOSO relations:

Egypt has diplomatic relations with almost all of MOSO countries, for example Egypt and Poland Enjoy diplomatic, economic and cultural relations. Egypt enjoy similar relations with Hungary. As both countries are part of the EU, Egypt and both countries signed trade agreements (3). Egypt and Czech relations also revolve around trade and have signed a number of economic, scientific and cultural agreements (4). Egypt has strong relations with Slovakia, bilateral agreements have been signed in different areas such as culture, tourism, defense as well as trade (5).

When it comes to Eastern Europe, Egypt has good relations with all Eastern European countries. For Example, Egyptian relations with Ukraine were established in 1992. Egypt was deeply affected by the war, as Egypt imports most of its grain from Ukraine and Russia, therefore the war instilled anxiety in Egypt as wheat imports were affected by the war6. Between 2014 and 2021 Egypt abstained from voting on resolutions that condemned Russia against aggression in Ukraine, however in 2022 Egypt supported a UN resolution that condemns violence in Ukraine (7). Egypt and Ukraine cooperate in many areas including education, culture and tourism (8). Relations between Egypt and Belarus date back to 1992, both countries have included regular relation cooperating in many fields such as culture, trade and science and technology. Egypt has great relations with Romania that date back to 1906, both countries have strong relations in areas of mutual interests such as trade (9). Egypt’s relations with Moldova are not as strong as its relations to other Central and Eastern European countries, however the first visit of an Egyptian prime minister since the independence of Moldova happened in 2022 and the importance of establishing stable diplomatic relations between both countries were emphasized through signing three memorandums of understanding (10).

When it comes to the Balkans, Egypt and all the Balkan countries maintain good relations that can be dated back to long historical ties. For example, Egypt and Albania have strong relations. Given how Albania is majority Muslims and around 20% orthodox, which are the two major in Egypt. Both countries cooperate in different areas such as tourism and trade, they are both members of the Union of the Mediterranean and they try to protect each other’s interest (11). Egypt relations with the Balkans involves the discussion of issues like Palestine and Libya and solutions to the issues in the MENA region (12). Egypt maintains good relations with the Baltics (13). It centers on trade, as the Baltics are part of the EU (14).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, relation between Egypt and MOSO countries are centered on trade, illegal migration and tourism especially with MOSO countries who are members of the EU, cooperation in other sectors such as culture, science and technology is also an important part in Egypt MOSO relations. Overall Egypt has good relations with most MOSO countries that were established long time ago.

 

Sources:

1 Adel Abdelghafar, “Egypt – Mapping European Leverage in the MENA Region – ECFR,” accessed June 14, 2023, https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_eu_leverage_mena/egypt.
2 Abdelghafar.
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5 “Embassy of Slovakia in Cairo Egypt | EVisa Egypt Online,” accessed June 16, 2023, https://egypt-e-visa.com/embassy/slovakia-in-cairo-egypt/.
6 Jessica Barnes, “The Ukraine War, Grain Trade and Bread in Egypt,” MERIP, February 22, 2023, https://merip.org/2023/02/the-ukraine-war-grain-trade-and-bread-in-egypt/.
7 Kitsoft, “Embassy of Ukraine to Arab Republic of Egypt – Ukraine-Egypt Political Relations,” accessed June 16, 2023, https://egypt.mfa.gov.ua/en/partnership/412-ukraine-egypt-relations.
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9 Mihai Stefan Stuparu, “Together We Can See Much Further 112 Years of Romanian-Egyptian Relations by Mihai-Ștefan Stuparu,” The Market For Ideas, accessed June 16, 2023, //www.themarketforideas.com/together-we-can-see-much-further-112-years-of-romanian-egyptian-relations-a413/.
10 Sami Hegazi, “Egypt, Moldova’s FMs Confirm Their Country’s Desire to Strengthen Cooperative Relations – Dailynewsegypt,” October 11, 2022, https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2022/10/11/egypt-moldovas-fms-confirm-their-countrys-desire-to-strengthen-cooperative-relations/.
11 TurnDigital, “Egypt and Albania,” 2015, https://beta.sis.gov.eg//en/international-relations/bilateral-relations/albania/.
12 “Egypt, Macedonia FMs Reiterate Deep-Rooted Relations,” accessed June 16, 2023, https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/173312/Egypt%2C-Macedonia-FMs-reiterate-deep-rooted-relations?lang=en-us.
13 “Bilateral Relations – Cairo,” accessed June 16, 2023, https://cairo.mfa.ee/bilateral-relations/.
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