Iran, Egypt Looking to the Future

The remarks of Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher in interviews with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and Iran’s Central News Bureau on Sunday, January 4 are clear proof of this.

Maher stated that the two countries’ common regional and international concerns should be addressed in the way most beneficial to the two nations in order to realize ideals such as peace, justice, and security.

Maher also emphasized significant issues based on a realistic assessment of regional issues and the interests of the Islamic world.

The ancient civilizations of Iran and Egypt have had relations for over 2000 years. By working together these two important Islamic countries can play a significant role in resolving many of the problems afflicting the Islamic world.     

In fact, the situation which caused the break in relations over two decades ago no longer exists. Maher pointed out that Camp David is only history now.

The new approach will undoubtedly remove one of the largest hurdles in the way of reestablishing Tehran-Cairo ties, for Egypt has rightly come to the conclusion that the Zionist regime is still a serious threat to regional countries.

Through its expansionistic activities, the Zionist regime has clearly demonstrated that it is not committed to abiding by the terms of any peace treaty, whether it be the Oslo Accords of the Geneva plan.

Undoubtedly, Muslims should learn a lesson from the current situation in Palestine. They also must realize that it is essential to establish peace and security in the Middle East and to resist common threats to the Islamic world.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the Geneva Summit on Information Technology on December 10, 2003, Egyptian and Iranian officials reached a consensus on some issues and clearly identified Israel’s nuclear arsenal and the Zionist regime’s crimes in the occupied territories as serious threats to regional peace and stability.

Today Iran and Egypt are looking to the future. There is every indication that full diplomatic relations between the two countries will eventually be restored, even though the process might take time.

HL/HG

End

MNA