Dr Ahmed Mokhtar :
Egyptians are living in a state of pain and hope. Whenever unrest escalates and terrorism claims the lives of Egyptian soldiers in Sinai, fear sweeps into public heart. It restrains hope for restoring stability and security, which both have been affected to varying degrees since the ‘revolution’ of 25th January 2011. However, just before despair finds a way into Egyptians’ souls, a beam of light looms carrying clear messages that Egypt does not stand alone in the face of terrorism. Messages of hope for a better future are carried from the Arab countries, especially the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Egyptians from all walks of life have realised these messages, along with the political leadership and government officials.
To cite one example, an agreement between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was reached, through which the UAE will fund about $9 billion for petroleum needs. This would allay Egyptians’ fears of recurrent shortages in petroleum products, which affected their lives recently with long queues at gas stations and frequent power outages.
The contract between EGPC and ADNOC, which is more than half of Egypt’s current foreign currency reserves, is a completion of a series of efforts from regional Arab countries in helping Egypt overcome its deficit in financing developmental projects. This will also put to rest rumours that Suez Canal’s vibrancy will be compromised as a result of oil crisis.
The gesture of goodwill from the Emirati brothers was at the focus of a meeting that included me, and a group of Egyptian scholars and intellectuals. We recalled the tough times that Egypt faced in January 2011, and also remembered the great victory of October 1973 War, which restored dignity and glory to the military of the whole Arab world.
The decision by the then Saudi Arabia King Faisal bin Abdulaziz to halt oil supplies to the United States of America and European countries, resulting in change of position by these countries from blindly supporting Israel to recognising Egypt’s rights in restoring its lands occupied by Israel in 1967, was also eulogised.
Subsequently, a series of wonderful stances taken by the Arab leaders throughout the last 40 years will never be forgotten, most notably the nonstop support of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is remembered by Egyptians as the “Arab’s wise man”.
Egypt has many agricultural and housing projects in his name.
The UAE’s position in supporting Egypt has always been characterised by their economic and social value, as it provides assistance generously reflecting the giver’s wisdom while preserving the dignity and pride of the receiver.
The assistance from the UAE is coincided with the Egyptian government’s efforts to cure the deformities, which struck its economy during the past four years, and target the poorest areas.
In December last year, for example, the UAE provided Egypt with $4.9 billion for developmental projects like financing the construction of 150,000 houses, 100 schools in 18 governorates, in addition to establishing sanitation services in 151 villages and buying 600 buses for public transportation.
Such projects not only address the needs and necessities of the Egyptians but also send a message that Egypt is not alone and its Arab brothers are with it in fighting the dangers and conspiracies against its security and sovereignty.
With such hopes, despair will never set in Egyptians’ souls. The doors of Egyptians are always open to the Arab brothers who have responded to the greater interests of their homeland.
(Dr Ahmed Mokhtar is the deputy editor-in-chief of Al Ahram Al Masaai)
