by Radu Magdin*
Writing over at Foreign Affairs, Stephen Kotkin stresses that powers such as China and Russia do not necessarily see themselves as characters in Shaw’s Pygmalion, to be reformed by a Western patron of accents and diplomatic etiquette alike, but come with their own self-conception, history, narratives and, not least, visions of the world. The point might seem self-evident to European ears but that also applies much closer to home or Europe: Egypt.
In Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra, the latter commit suicide not so much following defeat but due her wish not to be ‘boyed’, a meta reference which in the parlance of the time meant to be acted about in reduced, simplistic version of her otherwise complex motivations and character. Unfortunately, Egypt often finds itself with others writing its own narrative in such a manner and, in the European case, that makes for quite a pity, because it risks obscuring the partner that Egypt can be for Europe at a critical juncture in the continent’s path forwards.
Indeed, Egypt has been a European partner for the better part of several millennia, as little of European history can dispense with the ancient civilisation which has been both a progenitor of many elements of European civilisation as well as a trade and economic partner for most of European history. Irrespective of where one finds itself on the political spectrum, to dispense with Egypt as a wholly foreign entity is to dispense with its influence on Hellenic civilisation, significant elements of Christianity, the wealth of the Italian city-states, cultural exchanges linked to the Renaissance, a focal point of the European trading empires and, not least, the most immediate partner in contemporaneous Middle East affairs.
Furthermore, Egypt matters in the here and now as it is pivotal in writing not only European history but Europe’s future. In the simplest of terms, it is Europe’s natural partner in several key concerns.
For starters, exports. As Europe searches for an economic model that dispenses with low-cost energy and a welcoming market further East, the booming demographics of MENA and the SSA regions would merit genuine consideration. Egypt is and has been the first port of call for Europe in the region for several thousand years. At the very least, that economic and business engagement with Egypt as a gateway to the Global South next-door might warrant at least a conference stands as little more than self-evident.
Secondly, the Horn of Africa. Egypt is a significant force in the rapidly growing and contested Horn of Africa where Europe’s potential future as a target of migratory movementsor source of profitable FDI is being chosen for it. Egypt might not have the deep-pockets of the UAE but it is the economic elephant in the room for the region. Working with the country that has many of the levers and pulls to influence the region is perhaps a must for a Europe that faces a long-running debate on immigration.
Thirdly, Egypt, as both a country deeply affected by climate change, part of both Arab international bodies as well as African international bodies and, not least, without domestic hydrocarbon resources, is at the forefront of climate change mitigation and the energy transition. Recently, Rania A. Al-Mashat, the Egyptian minister for International Cooperation, successfully brought together Arab and Africa leaders to position Egypt as a hub for green hydrogen, actually following through on talks held in Egypt during COP27. Such achievements are what Europe needs for its Green Agenda to be sold to the countries that will ultimately decide the environmental future of the globe. Furthermore, Egypt is a nearly ideal place to experiment with concessional finance and seeing if it can help avoid the natural tragedy of the commons dynamics that are at the root of many contemporary problems, be it climate change or antibiotic resistance.
Amid the myriad debates in the European Parliament, the notion of reaching out to a partner that has been there for the better part of a few millennia seems oddly remiss. Egypt stands ready as a partner for Europe in export promotion, in fostering stability in regions of volatile potential and in moving forward from a European Green Agenda to a wider cooperation that takes Global South on board in addressing climate change and the energy transition.
*CEO - EU Affairs and Global Operations Smartlink Communications
By: N. Peter Kramer
