Post-revolutionary Egypt has a new foreign policy, one very different from that of the ousted Mubarak regime, Doaa El-Bey investigates A dramatic change in Egypt's foreign policy since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak aims to help reassert Cairo's leadership in the Arab world, establish good relations with all powers in the region, and give priority to Egyptian interests. In post-revolution Egypt, officials are trying to establish balanced relations within and outside the region. "After the 25 January Revolution, we tend to think in a more pragmatic way. We do not look at Egypt's internal position only, but also at the strategic and geostrategic situation as a whole. Our policies should be in line with public opinion, and what is in our national interest, rather than what is in the interest of the rulers," Mahmoud Shokri, a diplomat and writer told Al-Ahram Weekly. "We consider the point of view of external parties like the US, but we cannot allow them to impose it on us," he added. Thus it was not unexpected that Cairo took a more than supportive stand on the Palestinian issue, especially regarding the siege on Gaza. Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil El-Arabi announced the imminent and permanent reopening of the Rafah Crossing with Gaza last week, describing the blockade as a "shameful practice". He added that important steps to ease the blockade would start in the coming days. Later, Palestinian officials confirmed that President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal would meet in Cairo to sign a reconciliation agreement. The agreement was signed yesterday. It provides for a unity government bringing together the two main Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, and holding parliamentary and presidential elections within a year. Closing Rafah Crossing spoiled Egypt's relations with Hamas and showed a biased support to Abbas, "but opening the crossing would improve our image and create common interest with Gaza, which would always remain an important factor for Egypt security," Shokri said. Egypt is also following a popular public demand to provide more help to the Palestinians. Meanwhile, officials in Egypt reiterated their commitment to peace agreements signed with Israel. The new border policy, and Egypt's successful mediation of a Palestinian reconciliation deal, is followed by Egypt's stated intent to improve its relations with Iran. All three moves have raised Israeli concerns. However, rapprochement between Egypt and Iran is likely also to alarm Arab Gulf states who are worried about increasing Iranian influence in the Gulf. Prime Minister Essam Sharaf had to repeatedly assure the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during a Gulf tour last week that any improvement in Egypt's relations with Iran would not be at the expense of Arab Gulf states, which have long accused Tehran of meddling in their affairs. A one-day visit by Qatari Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani to Egypt on Tuesday is likely to boost Egyptian relations with Qatar on the one hand and the Gulf in general on the other. Al-Thani held talks with the head of the Higher Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi which focussed on ways of bolstering bilateral talks on all levels and on regional and global issues of mutual concern. "Our strategy does not allow us," Shokri explained, "to ignore an influential power in the region like Iran. Besides why would the Gulf states be annoyed by improved Egyptian-Iranian relations at the time when they all have diplomatic relations with Tehran?" "I assume that choosing the right timing for rapprochement together with establishing a balanced relation, rather than signing a strategic agreement, would be acceptable by the Gulf states," he added. Establishing balanced relations with African states -- especially Nile Basin states -- is another challenge facing Egypt foreign policy. The previous regime ignored its relations with Africa in general, and with Nile Basin states in particular, for two decades. As a result, some Nile Basin states signed a pact that guarantees a fairer distribution of Nile water among them last year. The pact would likely deprive Egypt of a large portion of its water quota and some of the privileges that were given to it by previous water sharing pacts signed in 1929 and 1959. To avoid a conflict over water, post-revolution Egypt is trying to improve its relations with Nile Basin states. A 40-member Egyptian delegation managed to postpone the ratification of the new agreement after a meeting with Ugandan officials last month and another meeting with Ethiopian officials this month. However, exchanging official visits and establishing joint projects is a must, according to Shokri. "Creating mutual interests on the economic, financial and strategic levels between Nile Basin countries is a priority at that stage. Also, agricultural projects between Egypt -- which has manpower -- and other African states like southern Sudan -- which possesses vast fertile lands -- is required to avoid future differences," he said. Egypt's foreign policy shift is part of the unprecedented changes sweeping the country since an 18-day uprising led by youth groups forced Mubarak to step down on 11 February after three decades in power. His regime showed an inclination towards keeping good relations with Israel and the US at the expense of the Palestinians and other Arab causes.
