The Egyptian Relations with the GCC Member States

Overview

The cooperation between Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council “GCC”  member states varies in multilateral and bilateral frameworks. Egypt depends mainly on its bilateral relations with these countries.

To strengthen these relations, several high joint committees, exchange of official visits, specialized sessions and committees are organized to promote the strategic dialogue.

The Arabic and Islamic political and social traditions governs the policies of the Gulf States. Egypt plays a pivotal role in setting the track and rhythm of the Arab joint efforts and bilateral relations.

Political consultations on the ministerial and high officials' levels are held periodically to provide a good opportunity for coordination. The main bilateral  topics of mutual concern are discussed during these meetings such as exploring the means of attracting Gulf investments to Egypt and improving the conditions of  Egyptian labor in the Gulf States.

As follow is an overview of Egypt’s relations with each of the GCC member states:

First: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

·  The exchange of  visits  between senior officials reflects the uniqueness of the bilateral relations and the continuous coordination between political leaderships.

·  Several High Joint Committees are organized between both countries.Egypt hosted the 11^th Session which was headed by the Foreign Ministers of both countries in April 2005. It was agreed on holding two semiannual meetings headed by the two Presidents of the Preliminary Committee to follow up the results of the High Joint Committee.

·  In regards to trade and joint investments, Saudi Arabia is considered as one of Egypt's major commercial partners. The number of joint ventures mounts to 668 projects. The Saudi investments in Egypt constitutes 6.7% of the Saudi foreign investment.

·  The Egyptian-Saudi Businessmen Council was established in 1989 and held six meetings. The last was held in Cairo in March 2005.

Second: Kuwait

·  Egypt and Kuwait enjoy cordial and strong relations. During the Gulf crisis, Egypt exerted all possible efforts to defend Kuwaiti rights, and to restore the independence and security to Kuwait.

·  A number of agreements govern the economic and the bilateral commercial  relations. One of the most important agreements is the "Joint Investment Encouragement and Protection Agreement" signed in April 2001, as well as the "Cooperation Agreement" between the Egyptian Commerce Chambers and the Kuwaiti Industry and Commerce Chamber, signed in April 2001.

·  Egypt and Kuwait held five High Joint Committees, and established the Kuwaiti-Egyptian Friendship Society. The Egyptian branch is chaired by a member of Shura Council and Former Prime Minister Ali Lotfi. The Kuwaiti branch was established in September 2004, and headed by Former Minister and advisor at the Crown Prince Divan Dari Al Osman.

·  Kuwait is considered one of the most important Arab investors in Egypt as the Kuwaiti investments constitute 25% of the total Arab investments in Egypt.

Third: Kingdom of Bahrain

·  In December 1992, Egypt and Bahrain signed an agreement to establish a joint committee chaired by the Foreign Ministers to follow up the implementation of bilateral agreements, the development of bilateral cooperation, in addition to consultation and coordination in various fields. The committee held four sessions; the last one was in Manama on 27-29 December 2004.

·  Both countries pursue their efforts  to promote the Joint Businessmen Council, which was established according to the recommendation of the 3^rd Session of the Egyptian-Bahraini Joint Committee in 1999. The Egyptian and Bahraini Exporters Associations signed a cooperation agreement in February to promote the commercial cooperation between both countries.

·  According to the estimations of the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the Bahraini investments includes various fields such as steel, ready made clothing, air condition factories and contracting.

Fourth: United Arab Emirates

·  The recent period witnessed many achievements aiming at promoting the Emirati-Egyptian political relations. The visits of President Mubarak to U.A.E. in 2004 played a pivotal role in strengthening the bilateral relations.

·  The United Arab Emirates is considered one of the most important Arab investors in Egypt. The Emirati investments include 105 projects, of which 92 projects are invested inside Egypt, and 13 in the free zones.

Fifth: Oman

·  The 10^th Session of the High Joint Committee was held in Muscat on 27-29 December 2004.

·  The Omani and Egyptian parties seek promoting economic and commercial cooperation as the Egyptian exports to Oman do not exceed 0.3 % of the total Omani imports, although the Omani market is free of procedural restrictions as well as legal and administrative provisions.

Sixth: Qatar

·  The 4^th Session of the High Joint Committee was held in Cairo on 15-17 March 2005, the next Session will be held in Qatar in 2006. Qatar contributed in the establishment of 32 companies.

·  Both countries seek activating the agreement of the Qatari-Egyptian Businessmen Council. The board of directors and sub-committees have been re-formulated to set and follow up bilateral economic cooperation.

Seventh: Yemen

·  The historic strong Yemeni-Egyptian relations played a fundamental role in supporting Yemen during the 1960s crisis.The bilateral relations are governed by an integrated legal framework which organizes cooperation in all fields·The Yemeni-Egyptian relations witnessed a breakthrough following the visit of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Egypt in 2004· 

   In the framework of promoting the Yemeni-Egyptian relations, it was agreed to resume holding the High Joint Committee on the level of Prime Ministers, according what was decided during the 5^th session  held in Cairo in June 1999, and the 6^th Session in 2005.

·  In 2005, both parties agreed on resuming the Yemeni-Egyptian strategic talks sessions. The last session was held at the Egyptian Foreign Ministry  in Cairo, February 2002, and headed by Assistant Foreign Ministers of both countries.

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