Mohamed El-Orabi made his debut by going to Africa, reports Doaa El-Bey Mohamed El-Orabi was sworn in as Egypt's new foreign minister on Sunday, hoping to continue the policies implemented in the post revolution. El-Orabi took the oath of office in front of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the Higher Council of the Armed Forces (HCAF). After the ceremony, Tantawi held a meeting with El-Orabi to discuss ways to develop Egypt's foreign policy in order to restore the country's position in the international community. One day after being sworn in, El-Orabi flew to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, to participate in an African Union summit held Wednesday and Thursday. The summit aims at supporting relations between African countries and creating new ways of cooperating to achieve economic integration and increase investment. El-Orabi expressed his happiness that an African country was his first destination as foreign minister, which is one of the focuses of Egypt's foreign policy. He hoped that the summit would open the door for exchanging views with African ministers and support Egypt's relationship with other countries on the continent. He stated that the African dimension would be one of the main themes within Egyptian foreign policy in the coming stage, adding that cooperation with African countries would be on various bilateral and multilateral levels and in various fields, including the water issue among the Nile Basin states. After the success realised by El-Orabi's predecessor Nabil El-Arabi in easing Egypt's ties with the Nile Basin countries, and in changing Egypt's foreign policy in Africa, El-Orabi must continue walking the same road in order to resolve the water issue among the 10 Nile Basin states, said a diplomat who preferred to remain anonymous. El-Orabi took over the position from El-Arabi who will head the Arab League beginning next month. El-Arabi was the first post-revolution foreign minister who became very popular because of the way he ran the Foreign Ministry during his short time in office. Although he held the position for less than four months, El-Arabi managed to make a noticeable shift in Egyptian foreign policy, which is why El-Orabi's job will be challenging. El-Orabi has the experience that will allow him to do the job. "El-Arabi listened to the people and carried out policy according to what they wanted. He was also driven by a desire to make Egypt a leading regional country that respects human rights and enjoys a well respected status. I see no reason why his successor will not follow suit," the diplomat added. During his tenure, El-Arabi managed to improve relations with the Nile Basin states over access to the Nile waters, took an initiative to normalise relations with Tehran; tried to end the closure of the Rafah border which is the gateway to Gaza, and persuaded the Palestinians' two main factions, Fatah and Hamas, to sign a reconciliation agreement following a four-year split. El-Orabi asserted that Egypt's interests in Africa did not preclude its interest in other issues including the Palestinian cause and Palestinian reconciliation. Egypt's ties with the Gulf states is another important issue awaiting El-Orabi. El-Arabi's attempts to normalise relations with Iran was a cause of concern by most Gulf states who were worried of an increase in Iranian influence in the region. However, El-Orabi's statement to the press after being sworn in, that the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council states is vital to Egypt and that there was no compromise regarding it, could contribute to easing Gulf concern. El-Orabi served in several crucial posts during his career, including in the Egyptian embassies in Tel Aviv, London, Washington and Kuwait. He was also the ambassador of Egypt to Germany for eight years from 2001. His last post in the ministry was assistant foreign minister for economic affairs and international relations. He also served as the coordinator of the Arab Economic Summit which was last held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. His vast experience, especially in Germany during which a breakthrough in relations, especially in culture, was made, will certainly work in his favour. The gradual introduction of change is the key to El-Orabi's success as a foreign minister, said the diplomat. El-Orabi arrives at a transitional period during which some changes can be made. However, there are some changes that need to be postponed until the election of a parliament and a new president. El-Orabi's ability to understand what changes are suitable now and what can or should wait is the key to his success, the diplomat added.
