Egypt re-emerges as a regional power in the Middle East
Egypt is seeking to position itself as a regional power in the Middle East and to counterbalance Turkey's influence. Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring, Egypt has remained in the background. Egypt first had to deal with its internal problems before it could once again position itself as a key player in the region's stability. However, Cairo has gradually re-established itself as the Middle East's mediator.
Cairo has hosted ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel following their recent confrontation, as well as leading reconstruction efforts in Gaza. It has also shown its intention to act as mediator in another regional conflict, the Libyan conflict. This conflict is also marked by strong Turkish interference. On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush to show his support for the political transition in the North African country.
After the meeting, Al-Sisi reaffirmed his support for the Libyan National Unity Government (GNU) and demanded the withdrawal of foreign troops from the country. Relations between Cairo and Tripoli have been strengthened, in part, by the three memoranda of understanding for economic development signed in April during the visit of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbuli and 11 of his ministers to the Libyan capital.
In this way, Egypt is gaining weight in the region largely through its role as "arbiter" in the various disputes. However, one of Cairo's objectives in pursuing this policy is to reduce Turkey's influence. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has placed his country at the centre of most disputes in the Middle East, such as Syria, Libya and Iraq. Egypt, on the other hand, has sought to influence through policies of consensus between the different countries.
In addition to meeting with representatives of Libya's interim government, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Greece has an ongoing dispute with Turkey over exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as the Cyprus issue. Although the Egyptian president declined to make direct reference to the Eurasian country, he stressed his commitment to sovereignty over territorial waters and his willingness to strengthen relations with Greece and develop existing cooperation within the framework of the tripartite mechanism with Cyprus, in order to achieve common interests and objectives in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
For his part, the Greek Prime Minister noted that his country is interested in strengthening cooperation with Cairo and also in developing the tripartite mechanism between Egypt, Greece and Cyprus, which, he said, has been "successful and effective for coordination and regular institutional cooperation". During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed the situation in Libya and agreed to support the current political track, leading to the holding of elections before the end of the year. They also re-emphasised the importance of disbanding the militias and the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan soil.
An issue of vital importance to Egypt is the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and on this issue Greece showed its full support for the North African country. "We support Egypt's positions regarding the Renaissance Dam," the Greek prime minister stressed, adding that the problem must be solved by peaceful means as the waters of the Nile are vital for life. Egypt depends on the Nile for 90 per cent of its fresh water and sees the dam as a potential threat. Cairo has expressed concern about how the dam could reduce the country's annual quota of 55.5 billion cubic metres of Nile water.
Another major sticking point between the two leaders has been the Cyprus situation. Mitsotakis has already stated that it is "impossible" to establish two states in Cyprus and has assured that the solution to the conflict on the island lies in the UN Security Council resolutions. This is a point of disagreement with Turkey, which insists on a two-state solution. Egypt's position in this conflict leans towards the Greek side, but under the UN's marking. Al-Sisi stressed that 'Egypt firmly supports the respective UN resolutions', dissociating itself from the Eurasian country's initiative.