Stepping up relations with Egypt

"Egypt cannot thank Malta enough for its solidarity". This is how, during our latest meeting in May, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit summed up the spirit of Malta's relations with Egypt as they have developed over the last few years.

The importance of the relationship with Egypt as a neighbouring country for Malta is set firmly in the framework of Malta's Foreign Policy Strategic Objectives that we launched earlier this year.

As a member of the EU, Malta can add further value as a partner for Egypt particularly, but not exclusively, within the context of the EU Neighbourhood Policy and consequent Action Plans. We came to the EU with a valuable and positive Mediterranean baggage. We share with Egypt, as with others, a Mediterranean identity that extends to language and historical roots. We are a country that has shown consistently a sensitivity to the issues of the Arab world.

The excellent nature of our bilateral relations was reflected in the comments by Egypt about the way Malta handled the international incident resulting from the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohamed in a Danish newspaper.

During our meeting in Cairo last May, Minister Aboul Gheit expressed his and Egypt's appreciation for the understanding and sensitivity with which Malta handled the aftermath of the publications. Perhaps the fact that within Europe the Maltese are still relatively more religious gives us an understanding for religious sentiment beyond that of more secular societies.

We have made serious diplomatic efforts to push forward commercial relations. During my three visits to Egypt over the past two years, I also held discussions with the Ministers of Foreign Trade, Petroleum, Tourism and Investment to identify avenues of closer co-operation. The commercial aspect of our relations cannot but be emphasised given both countries' strategic positioning as gateways to their respective regions, and Egypt's own 70 million-strong market.

In April 2005, I headed a business delegation to Cairo composed of various Maltese entrepreneurs for 'Malta Day'. The event was very well received by governmental entities and the Egyptian business community alike. A number of one-to-one meetings were organised for entrepreneurs on both sides which resulted in successful contacts. The outcome was followed up by an 'Egypt Day' in Malta organised last December to further develop existing contacts, and create new ones, inter alia, in the fields of tourism and hospitality, research and development, construction and the maritime sector. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a working breakfast for all participants.

Apart from its growing bilateral relevance, Malta cannot but recognise and work upon Egypt's committed engagement, particularly in the Middle East and the perennial Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the Middle East, ever since the historical signing by President Anwar Sadat of the Camp David Accords in 1978, Egypt's role in the Middle East has been one of moderation and mediation. It has taken the lead in many initiatives aimed at bringing consecutive Israeli and Palestinian administrations closer and more recently was also involved in organising and hosting talks between different Palestinian factions.

I was given a particular insight into the workings of Egypt and its great value as an 'adjoint' to the Quartet in my various meetings with Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit and the Intelligence Chief, General Omar Suleiman. Egypt has expressed its particular appreciation of Malta's consistent positions on this issue, including for its long-standing rapporteurship of the UN Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinians.

The two countries share the common hope of seeing a Pales-tinian state living alongside a safe and secured Israel.

In this context of intensive and deepening relations Malta is particularly grateful for Egypt's co-operation in the speedy repatriation of Egyptian illegal immigrants coming to our shores. I have once more, only a few days ago, personally thanked the Egyptian Ambassador in Malta, Abdel Karim Soliman and his Embassy staff for taking, in line with instructions from Cairo, immediate action on the repatriation of Egyptian nationals only days after their arrival on Maltese shores.

The most recent example of Egypt's committed co-operation in Malta's regard is indeed the immediate action taken to facilitate the repatriation of 156 Egyptian nationals who reached Malta on June 28, along with illegal immigrants from other countries. Recalling Minister Aboul Gheit's words to me, it is my turn now to ask: "How can Malta thank Egypt enough?"

Dr Frendo is Minister of Foreign Affairs