The tale of two highly diligent capital cities is captivating, concludes Gamal Nkrumah after calling in on Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov In the dash for the electoral finishing line, politicians in the emerging economies of Egypt and Ukraine share the burden of shaking off their socialist yoke. However, to do this is quixotic. Both countries are extremely ambiguous about their state command economies of the past, but have embraced market economies with unbridled enthusiasm. Curiously, the two nations are not that far apart, geographically speaking. Turkey lay across the Black Sea from Ukraine, and the Mediterranean separates Egypt from Turkey. In other words, an ascendant Turkey is a key political and economic partner for both Egypt and Ukraine. It is against this seemingly inconsequential background that last week's two-day visit by Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to Egypt comes at a most opportune moment. His visit was part of a regional tour that also took him to Libya, another important trading partner of the Ukraine. Petroleum, natural gas, nuclear energy, grains and especially wheat, as well as education emerged as some of the main topics under discussion between Azarov and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazif. "I was tremendously impressed with Smart Village. We in Ukraine hardly have something that rivals Smart Village, and we consider ourselves among the most technologically sophisticated countries and yet we were absolutely astounded by the level of refinement of the infrastructure and the technological sophistication of the entire substructure," Ukraine's Prime Minister Azarov told Al-Ahram Weekly. The Ukrainian prime minister understands the complexities of global threats and the need to devise sensible national security programmes. This is his first visit to Egypt and he is keen on cultivating a special friendship with Egypt. "The economies of the two countries are complimentary. Egypt is the world's largest wheat importer and we happen to be a major grains exporter," Azarov noted. Recently, the two countries signed a military contract and the Ukrainian minister of military production was assigned to establish closer cooperation in terms of maintenance of military assets. Ukraine, a traditional exporter of arms to Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East, has embarked on a policy of stepping up its arms exports to the region. "In our relationship there is, as always happens, some problems, but they are solved normally without undue politicisation," Azarov explained. He pledged to seek ways of ironing out differences between Cairo and Kiev. Azarov, traditionally seen as a pro-Moscow premier, is of the old school, and if not avowedly Marxist, is an offspring of the now defunct Soviet Union. Nevertheless, he is keen to market Ukraine as a modern industrial hub and is determined to interest Arab businessmen in investing in the Ukrainian economy. Ukraine has recently signed a contract to sell Egypt the latest Antonov 74 aircraft, though the actual number has not yet been disclosed. He was accompanied by a large delegation of Ukrainian businesspeople and about half of his cabinet ministers. He understands how complex and challenging the global security environment actually is today. In Cairo the prime minister's cortege includes very suspect members, super models chatted aimlessly with bodybuilders with piercing blue eyes. It was as if he had a round-the-clock security surveillance to make sure he toes the Kosher Nostra line. It is necessary to avoid the pitfalls of the two lost decades since its independence in 1991, in which Ukraine's previous prestigious position as an economic powerhouse of the former Soviet Union unceremoniously collapsed. The Ukrainian leadership is looking to the developing world, to countries such as Egypt that has undergone a similar transition from socialism to capitalism and democracy Western-style. To avoid a two decades- long wrestling with political and economic risks, Ukraine desperately needs stronger economic growth. "Libya and some other Arab countries are seriously buying land in Ukraine's vast steppe. We are hoping that Egyptian investors do the same," smirked Azarov. "We are also ready to assist Egypt in the development of nuclear power for peaceful purpose. We are also keen to resolve Cairo's traffic problem by building rapid transit modelled on our own Kiev metro." These proposals are modest compared with the big challenges facing the two countries. There are not yet any direct flights between the two countries, something that Azarov is eager to rectify. There are, however, several charter flights for Ukrainian tourists fleeing the winter doldrums in search of sun and fun in Sharm El-Sheikh. Ukraine is in a quandary: it wishes to bolster bilateral relation with its giant neighbour Russia, while simultaneously sticking to EU membership plans. Ukraine's strategic location straddling the frontier between Russia and the European Union leaves the politics of the country on a knife-edge. The country is precariously poised between European Union membership and strengthening ties with Moscow, its traditional ally. Europe is a motley of monstrous egos. Russia, too, is no agreeable friend. Yet Kiev knows that to play a meaningful international role, it must be successful at cultivating ties with both the EU and Russia. Azarov, with his business-like demeanour, certainly presents a contrast to the dolled-up Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's former prime minister. This was the first presidential election since the 2004 Orange Revolution, and Ukrainians are seemingly returning to their Red heritage.
