Celebrating 50 years of bonds between Egypt and the Emirates – The National

Celebrating 50 years of bonds between Egypt and the Emirates – The National

Few relationships in the Middle East are as strong as that between Egypt and the UAE. This week, the two countries are celebrating 50 years of ties, and a three-day festival is being held in Cairo to mark the occasion.

“The relationship is unique and builds not only on brotherly ties, but the understanding of the current situation of the Mena region and the world,” said Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, in an address to officials from both countries gathered in Cairo on Tuesday.

A shared understanding of regional issues has been at the core of bilateral relations. Egypt and the UAE have worked together strongly in the interests of regional security, including by deepening their defence relationship. They run regular military exercises together, such as last year’s “Zayed 3” exercise and another this year that also included special forces from Saudi Arabia, Greece and Cyprus. In a region fraught with long-standing political and security issues, such exercises have reinforced the role that powerful allies such as the UAE and Egypt play in ensuring stability and laying the groundwork for greater prosperity.