It is an established fact that the political system of a certain country, its internal stability, its economic power and the character of its leader influence this country's relations and cooperation with the world. This fact applies to Egypt following the 25 January Revolution. The revolution was welcomed by the world. Some leaders, including US's Barack Obama, hailed the courage of the Egyptian youth and how they peacefully constructed their protest until the former president abdicated. However, the revolution developed to a state of instability, insecurity and the deterioration of the economy. Consequently, the world started to question where Egypt is heading. In the process, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which assumed power after Mubarak, was trying to manage the critical issues facing Egypt and to send calming messages to the world, pursuing cautious foreign policy, promising to handle the authority to an elected president, which was fulfilled in June 2012 through democratic elections. Although the world accepted the result and was willing to cooperate with the new regime, there were certain doubts about its orientations, particularly after large sectors of Egyptian society started to express their dissatisfaction on the behaviour and intentions of the regime. This dissatisfaction culminated in the revolution of 30 June 2013 that was backed by the army that designed a “plan for the future” including an interim civil president, full civilian government, drafting a new constitution and preparing for presidential and parliamentarian elections. The 30 June Revolution, particularly after the army's intervention and the ousting of an elected president, raised the doubts of major powers, including the US, Europe and even Africa, which adopted unfriendly measures against the new regime. Such doubts were deepened after the Brotherhood invoked a state of violence throughout Egypt. In the process, the transitional regime was fulfilling the roadmap, drafting a constitution with overwhelming popular support, and preparing for presidential elections monitored by international and regional groups. Now with the election of a new president, what will that mean for the world, particularly its major groups such as America and Europe? From the beginning, major powers like the US together with Europe declared that they would cooperate with the president democratically elected by the Egyptian people. During his presidential campaign, Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi conveyed the outlines of his foreign policy and emphasised a number of circles that will be the focus of his foreign policy: - The establishment of peace in the Middle East through a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem. In this context, Al-Sisi discussed the future of Egyptian-Israeli relations during his campaign. He linked their prosperity to the Israeli response to Palestinian aspirations for a Palestinian state. - The establishment of a new regional regime in the Middle East based on reform and development of the Arab League to allow it to emerge as an integral regional organisation, economically, politically and culturally, on the model of the European Union. - To work within the African framework to strengthen economic investment and strategic cooperation to safeguard Egypt's water rights and the security of its people. - Working towards enforcing the Mediterranean cooperation established in 1993 on Egyptian initiative. In addition, in an interview with Sky News on 10 May, Al-Sisi defined Egypt's relations with the Arab world in respect of three issues: military cooperation, economic cooperation and the institutional framework of cooperation. Regarding the issue of military cooperation he said that Egypt would be ready if Gulf countries face a security threat. Following candidate Al-Sisi's remarks on his foreign policy vision, one will notice certain developments: when the US administration suspended military assistance to Egypt he commented that, “America has turned its back on Egypt.” Lately, in a TV interview, Al-Sisi stated that he understood US laws and considerations in suspending US military assistance following 30 June. He also indicated a mature awareness of regional and international issues. Regarding Egypt's rapprochement with Russia he believed that it is not a replacement to its relations with other powers. His vision on what shapes Egypt's strategic depth focused on two regions: the Arab and African region. He believed that relations with the Arab region should be conducted seriously, be balanced and be responsible. As for the African region, particularly Ethiopia and Nile Basin countries, he said that relations with them were neglected and badly managed, and he concluded that a solution to the Grand Renaissance Dam problem should be reached as a matter of life or death for Egypt. In his view, Egypt, as an ancient country, should respect its commitments to international agreements, including the peace treaty with Israel. Regarding Hamas, Al-Sisi called on Egyptians not to confuse between them and Egypt's historical support for the Palestinian cause. In his foreign policy vision Al-Sisi underlined that the success and effectiveness of foreign policy in general depends on what is achieved internally. While we may expect that the world will accept the presidential elections outcome as the will of the Egyptian people, US and European reservations on the exclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood from political life will continue to constrain their full willingness to cooperate with the new regime. Their continued message to the new president will be to achieve national reconciliation where all political and ideological forces, including the Brotherhood, are included. Nevertheless, the massive popular support that Al-Sisi received, and the fairness and transparency of the elections, will be welcomed in the world, weakening doubts about Al-Sisi's role on 3 July 2013 and proving it was the expression of popular will. Consequently, the arguments of the Brotherhood will be weakened, showing them as an isolated and rejected group. The world will be more willing to cooperate with the new president and his era. The level and the continuation of this support will depend on the performance of the president and his regime in building a new state, modern and democratic, and his ability to tackle the serious domestic problems facing Egypt. It is indeed a new era in relations between Egypt and the world. The writer is executive director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.
