ANALYSE – Dans le Golfe comme en Asie et en Afrique, les pays du Sud veulent accroître leur influence.
De notre envoyée spéciale à Abu Dhabi
Depuis plusieurs années, le repli américain et la rétraction du monde occidental poussent les diplomaties du Sud qui veulent peser davantage dans les affaires internationales. Aux Émirats arabes unis, comme ailleurs dans le Golfe, au Moyen-Orient, en Asie ou en Afrique, cette tendance à changer ses alliances pour les rééquilibrer a été exacerbée depuis l’invasion russe du 24 février. «Avec la guerre russo-ukrainienne mais aussi dans le conflit Chine-États-Unis, nous avons ont choisi l’équilibre», résume d’une phrase Anwar Gargash, le «Kissinger du Moyen-Orient», conseiller diplomatique du président émirati Mohammed Ben Zayed (MBZ), à la World Policy Conference (WPC) organisée par l’Ifri à Abu Dhabi. C’est-à-dire, concrètement, une prise de distance à l’égard des politiques chinoises et russes de la Maison-Blanche.
Créée en 2008 par l’Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri), à l’initiative de son fondateur et président Thierry de Montbrial, la World Policy Conference (WPC) ou la Conférence sur la politique mondiale, est une think tank dont l’objectif est de contribuer une réflexion systématique pour l’organisation d’une gouvernance mondiale adaptée aux réalités du XXIe siècle, associant décideurs, experts et leaders d’opinion au plus haut niveau.
L’Ambassadeur Bertrand Besancenot revient sur la récente visite du Président chinois Xi Jinping en Arabie saoudite, marquant la volonté pour le Riyad de mettre en place un système d’alliance politique et économiques avant tout convergent avec ses intérêts nationaux. Ici, un rapprochement avec Pékin ne signifie pas un éloignement avec Washington.
Le président Xi Jinping a effectué la semaine dernière une visite de trois jours à Riyad, au cours de laquelle il a eu un sommet bilatéral avec les Saoudiens, puis a rencontré les dirigeants du Conseil de Coopération des États Arabes du Golfe et enfin un « sommet sino-arabe » élargi à certains pays de la Ligue Arabe : la Mauritanie, la Tunisie, Djibouti, la Somalie, les Comores, l’Irak et l’Égypte.
Le Président chinois a reçu un accueil royal, y compris de la part de la presse locale qui s’est répandu sur l’intérêt de la coopération avec la Chine, un partenaire essentiel de l’Arabie saoudite et du monde arabe et qui ne donnait pas de leçons de morale, contrairement aux États-Unis et à l’Occident en général.
Ce voyage était en réalité centré sur l’énergie et l’économie, avec la signature de contrats d’un montant global évalué à 28 Mds d’euros dans les domaines de l’hydrogène, de la pétrochimie, des technologies de l’information, du cloud computing, des transports et de la construction (sans plus de précision). En fait, la Chine est déjà le premier partenaire commercial de l’Arabie saoudite, avec un volume d’échanges bilatéraux qui excède les 80 Mds de dollars. Les Chinois sont impliqués dans de multiples chantiers d’infrastructure et leurs investissements en Arabie saoudite sont estimés à 106,5 Mds de dollars au cours des vingt dernières années. Riyad est par ailleurs le premier fournisseur de pétrole de Pékin, qui lui a acheté 17 % de sa consommation de brut l’an dernier.
Sur le plan politique, cette visite était un signal diplomatique de convergence entre les deux pays avec la signature d’un accord de partenariat stratégique, mais aussi un message clair à l’administration Biden : Riyad n’est pas concerné par la polarisation entre Washington et Pékin et souhaite maintenir des relations privilégiées avec les deux pays (et d’autres), en fonction de ses intérêts nationaux. Comme l’a écrit un porte-parole officieux, « la région est en quête de stabilité, d’investissements, de développement, de diversité, d’ouverture à tous, et non pas de positionnement dans une tranchée aux dépens d’un autre camp ».
La visite du Président chinois a en outre conforté la place internationale de l’Arabie saoudite et de son prince héritier, en présentant le royaume comme un acteur mondial autonome et courtisé, dialoguant avec tout le monde. Le ministre saoudien des a Affaires étrangères a d’ailleurs profité de la World Policy Conference qui s’est tenue à Abou Dabi du 9 au 11 décembre pour préciser les orientations nouvelles de la diplomatie de Riyad :
L’Arabie et le CCEAG s’emploient à bâtir des ponts entre l’Orient et l’Occident.
Le royaume entend renforcer sa coopération avec son plus grand partenaire commercial, la Chine.
Le dialogue est le meilleur moyen pour régler les problèmes complexes et difficiles d’aujourd’hui.
La politique étrangère de Riyad est mue par sa volonté de bâtir une prospérité durable pour le peuple saoudien.
S’agissant des cours du pétrole, l’Arabie saoudite et l’Opep+ ont une politique claire et permanente de préserver les marchés stables, car à défaut les producteurs cesseront d’investir.
Les relations saoudo-russes sont solides, en particulier dans le cadre de l’Opep+.
Dans le conflit entre la Russie et l’Ukraine, l’Arabie saoudite se considère comme un médiateur, et elle a contribué à la libération de prisonniers.
Les relations avec les États-Unis sont importantes, car Washington joue un rôle essentiel au plan sécuritaire. Riyad veut coopérer avec toutes les administrations et développer un vrai dialogue stratégique.
Si on ne parvient pas à un accord nucléaire avec l’Iran, qui donnerait des garanties sérieuses, la région s’engagerait dans une période complexe et dangereuse qu’il faut éviter.
L’Europe demeure l’un des principaux partenaires commerciaux de l’Arabie saoudite et du Golfe. Riyad l’appelle à une interaction plus importante dans la région.
« Tout est possible » si l’Iran fabrique une arme atomique – Responsable saoudien
“Nous sommes dans un périmètre très dangereux”, a dit le ministre des Affaires étrangères Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, notant être “sceptique” sur une reprise du JCPOA
Le ministre des Affaires étrangères saoudien, le prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, a indiqué dimanche que les voisins du Golfe de la république islamique réagiraient si Téhéran devait fabriquer une arme nucléaire.
« Si l’Iran obtient une bombe nucléaire, tout est possible », a déclaré Al Saud aux journalistes à la World Policy Conference qui était organisée à Abou Dhabi, selon Reuters.
« Nous sommes dans un périmètre très dangereux dans la région… Vous pouvez vous attendre à ce que les États régionaux examinent très certainement la manière de garantir leur propre sécurité », a-t-il ajouté, sans donner de détail.
De propos tenus alors que l’Iran reste en conflit avec l’Occident à la fois sur la question de son programme nucléaire et dans le cadre des négociations sur la mise en vigueur d’un accord signé en 2015 qui avait été gelé.
La République islamique a indiqué, le mois dernier, avoir fait progresser ses activités d’enrichissement d’uranium. L’Occident craint pour sa part que ces travaux puissent entrer dans le cadre d’un programme secret d’armement atomique.
Géopolitique enregistrée à Abou Dhabi où s’est achevée, le 11 décembre 2022, la 15ème édition de la World Policy Conference. L’occasion pour chercheurs, politiques, économistes, intellectuels d’échanger pendant trois jours sur la situation internationale et les grands enjeux géopolitiques.
Au Sahel et en Afrique de l’Ouest, l’année 2022 a été agitée, entre les coups d’État à répétition, le départ de la force Barkhane du Mali, la montée du sentiment anti-français, la poussée du terrorisme jihadiste vers les États du Golfe de Guinée comme le Bénin, le Togo, le Ghana et la Côte d’Ivoire, sans oublier la controverse suscitée par le position de plusieurs pays africains par rapport à l’invasion russe de l’Ukraine…
Comment lutter efficacement contre l’expansionnisme des groupes armés jihadistes? Que traduit l’accaparement du pouvoir par les militaires au Mali, au Burkina Faso, en Guinée et au Tchad ? Quels bénéfices et quels risques à faire alliance avec la Chine ou la Russie ? Peut-on parler de volonté d’émancipation par rapport à l’Occident et à la France, ancienne puissance coloniale ? Quel modèle de développement les Africains souhaitent-ils ?
Trois invités :
– Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, président de l’Institut panafricain de Stratégie (Paix-Sécurité-Gouvernance) et ancien ministre des Affaires Étrangères du Sénégal
– Alain Antil, directeur du Centre Afrique Subsaharienne de l’IFRI, l’Institut français de Relations Internationales.
– Jean-Michel Sévérino, président d’Investisseurs et partenaires, directeur de recherche à la FERDI, Fondation pour les Études et la Recherche sur le Développement International, auteur de «Entreprenante Afrique» chez Odile Jacob.
Le ministre saoudien des Affaires étrangères, le prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, a déclaré dimanche que les voisins arabes de l’Iran dans le Golfe agiraient pour renforcer leur sécurité si Téhéran devait obtenir des armes nucléaires, a rapporté Reuters. « Si l’Iran obtient une arme nucléaire opérationnelle, tous les paris sont ouverts », a déclaré le prince Faisal lors d’une interview sur scène lors de la World Policy Conference à Abu Dhabi, interrogé sur un tel scénario. « Nous sommes dans un espace très dangereux dans la région… vous pouvez vous attendre à ce que les États régionaux se tournent certainement vers la manière dont ils peuvent assurer leur propre sécurité », a-t-il ajouté.
Bien que Riyad soit resté « sceptique » quant à l’accord sur le nucléaire iranien, le prince Fayçal a déclaré dimanche qu’il soutenait les efforts visant à relancer le pacte « à condition qu’il soit un point de départ, et non un point final » pour un accord plus solide avec Téhéran. « Les signes actuels ne sont malheureusement pas très positifs », a déclaré le prince Faisal, ajoutant : « Nous entendons dire par les Iraniens qu’ils n’ont aucun intérêt dans un programme d’armes nucléaires, ce serait très réconfortant de pouvoir croire cela. Nous avons besoin de plus l’assurance à ce niveau. »
Analysis: Saudi Arabia sends Iran forceful message about its nuke program
While the patience of regional actors is waning, their fears are raging.
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud said on Sunday that Iran’s Gulf Arab neighbors would act to shore up their security if Tehran were to obtain nuclear weapons.
During an interview at the World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi, Al-Saud was asked about a scenario where Iran obtains nuclear weapons. He responded: “If Iran gets an operational nuclear weapon, all bets are off.”
We are in a very dangerous space in the region… you can expect that regional states will certainly look towards how they can ensure their own security.”
Western powers have accused Iran of raising unreasonable demands, thereby stalling nuclear talks. The focus has shifted to the Russia-Ukraine war and domestic unrest in Iran over the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Though Riyadh remained “skeptical” about the Iran nuclear deal, Al-Saud said it supported efforts to revive the pact “on condition that it be a starting point, not an end point” for a more substantial deal with Tehran.
Les représentants européens apportent à l’Ukraine un soutien sans réserve au cours de la « World Policy Conference », organisée du 9 au 11 décembre aux Émirats arabes unis. Kiev est assuré d’un surcroît de concours.
Le chef de la diplomatie ukrainienne n’a pas fait le déplacement à Abou Dabi (Émirats arabes unis), mais la 15e édition de la World Policy Conference qui s’y tient du 9 au 11 décembre, lui a consacré samedi après-midi une session plénière en visioconférence de son domicile.
Dmytro Kuleba, habillé d’un épais pull gris à son bureau, entend ne laisser filtrer aucun doute auprès de son auditoire : « La Russie est en train de perdre quand l’Ukraine est en train de gagner. » Et il balaie toute perspective d’une rigueur hivernale qui puisse affecter les troupes ukrainiennes : « Hiver, printemps, été, nous continuerons à nous battre (…). Nous n’en avons rien à faire du temps et rien n’arrêtera nos courageux soldats. »
Pièces de rechange
De la réunion de « solidarité » à court terme pour son pays qui va se dérouler mardi à Paris, il n’exprime qu’une attente centrale de la part de Kiev, la « coordination des efforts » dans la fourniture de transformateurs, générateurs et pièces de rechange, indispensables pour surmonter la destruction ou l’endommagement « de plus de la moitié » de l’infrastructure électrique du pays, du fait de l’intensité des bombardements russes.
Une source diplomatique française va dans ce sens, en expliquant que l’intention est de se focaliser sur une période allant de la mi-décembre à la mi-mars, avec une « thématique très précise » qui est de permettre à l’Ukraine de maintenir le fonctionnement de ses infrastructures critiques.
Un conseiller de l’exécutif européen présent à l’événement d’Abou Dabi affirme, à cet égard, que « le niveau de consensus en Europe est extraordinairement élevé ». Il insiste sur l’engagement financier de l’Union européenne, aussi bien à des fins économiques que militaires, qui s’avèrerait « supérieur » à celui des États-Unis et pourtant « gravement sous-estimé ». Quelques heures plus tard, le Conseil des ministres de l’UE a annoncé être parvenu à un nouvel accord d’aide tout au long de 2023 à hauteur de 18 milliards d’euros, avec des prêts assortis d’une période de grâce de 10 ans.
Le ministre des Affaires étrangères de l’Arabie saoudite a déclaré, dimanche, que tous les paris seraient ouverts si l’Iran obtenait une arme nucléaire opérationnelle, les États du Golfe devant alors agir pour renforcer leur sécurité. “Si l’Iran se dote d’une arme nucléaire opérationnelle, tous les paris sont ouverts”, a déclaré le prince Faisal bin Farhan lors d’une interview sur la scène de la World Policy Conference à Abu Dhabi. “Nous sommes dans un espace très dangereux dans la région… vous pouvez vous attendre à ce que les États de la région se penchent sur la façon dont ils peuvent assurer leur propre sécurité”, a-t-il ajouté.
Parlant du sommet Conseil de Coopération du Golfe-Chine et du sommet sino-arabe qui ont eu lieu vendredi, le prince Faisal a déclaré que continuer à accroître la coopération entre le Royaume et la Chine est “incroyablement important”.
La Chine est encore bien loin d’évincer les États-Unis auprès des monarchies du Golfe. Mais les échanges à la « World Policy Conference », organisée aux Émirats arabes unis du 9 au 11 décembre, illustrent un rapprochement accéléré.
Le séjour saoudien du président chinois Xi Jinping, du 7 au 10 décembre, ne devait pas s’inscrire dans l’ordinaire. Riyad et ses alliés ont donc vu les choses en très grand, autour de trois sommets d’affilée pour leur invité, d’abord avec l’Arabie Saoudite, puis le Conseil de coopération du Golfe (CCG) et pour finir, la Ligue arabe. Un déploiement protocolaire forcément scruté par la World Policy Conference (WPC), organisée au même moment à Abou Dabi.
Il y a eu toute la satisfaction exprimée dimanche soir par le chef de la diplomatie saoudienne, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, venu clore les échanges dans la capitale émiratie, pour qui les perspectives de coopération avec la 2e économie mondiale s’avèrent « incroyables », que ce soit pour son pays ou les autres nations arabes.
Un responsable gouvernemental des Émirats arabes unis, rencontré en marge de la WPC, considère pour sa part que cette succession inédite de sommets formels, traitement inhabituel jusqu’ici essentiellement réservé dans la région au président des États-Unis, « vient satisfaire l’égo politique » des Chinois, en « renforçant leur statut ». Propos apparemment corroboré, lorsque l’on voit le président de l’Institut international d’études stratégiques à Pékin, Wang Jisi, lors d’une table-ronde sur la « rivalité » sino-américaine, évoquer le caractère « plus ambitieux » de ce rassemblement entre son pays et les cinq autres du CCG.
L’intention par la suite pour les monarchies du Golfe est de systématiser ce format chaque fin d’année, probablement en 2023 avec l’Asean, l’organisation du sud-est asiatique. Toujours d’après la source gouvernementale émiratie, pour le royaume saoudien il en est allé par ailleurs d’une « valeur symbolique » vis-à-vis des démocrates au pouvoir à Washington qui, un temps, ont proclamé leur intention de mettre le prince héritier Mohammed Ben Salmane au ban de la communauté internationale, après l’assassinat en 2018, au consulat d’Arabie Saoudite à Istanbul, du journaliste saoudien Jamal Khashoggi.
Géopolitique de l’énergie
Puis, les Saoudiens ne sont pas privés de rappeler lors de cette conférence d’Abou Dabi, une fois encore, les facteurs de l’équation économique avec la Chine, premier partenaire commercial et débouché pour 20 % de leurs exportations de pétrole. Et des échanges qui tendent, soutient-on ici, à se diversifier et à se sophistiquer.
De quoi il retourne ? La pétrochimie, mais également le potentiel des énergies renouvelables. Lors d’une session samedi, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, directeur général du fonds souverain d’Abou Dabi Mubadala, a mis en exergue les 80 % de l’industrie mondiale du solaire concentrée en Chine. « Nous aussi, on veut en bénéficier », lance alors un haut fonctionnaire émirati.
Idée « très naïve »
La « géoéconomie d’un monde fragmenté », pour reprendre l’intitulé d’une table-ronde de vendredi, offre, par la même occasion, certaines possibilités de prendre ses distances avec les États-Unis. Pour un économiste sud-coréen, qui conseille de longue date son gouvernement, la manière dont s’est déroulée la visite de Xi Jinping à Riyad démontre que l’Arabie Saoudite « sera plus indépendante des pays occidentaux ».
Néanmoins, tout en saluant « la vision claire » qu’ont les Chinois de « ce qu’ils veulent », le responsable gouvernemental émirati juge « très naïve », l’idée « simplificatrice » en vogue d’une Chine venant « remplacer » les États-Unis, ce que le directeur saoudien d’un centre de recherche sur le Golfe, basé à Djeddah, a tout autant souligné dans une intervention dimanche après-midi. Abdulaziz Othman Sager assure que « la relation économique avec Pékin ne se développe pas en une relation de politique de sécurité », la Chine n’étant d’ailleurs de toute façon pas en mesure, selon lui, de fournir un cadre de protection armée au Moyen-Orient.
La « World Policy Conference », organisée du 9 au 11 décembre aux Émirats arabes unis, tente de mettre en garde quant aux dégâts économiques de la « fragmentation » entre Washington et Pékin.
D’une manière ou d’une autre, au cours de cette 15e édition de la World Policy Conference, qui se tient cette année à Abou Dabi (Émirats arabes unis), la rivalité entre les États-Unis et la Chine est de toutes les discussions, de tous les apartés.
À une session sur l’hypothèse d’un « effondrement de l’ordre économique international », Qiao Yide, secrétaire général de la Fondation pour la recherche sur le développement de Shanghai, pose les termes en fonction des gains pour son pays à aller ou non dans le sens de la politique de sanctions unilatérales déployée par les Américains, en tant que mode de gestion des relations internationales.
Pourquoi donc Pékin avaliserait-il ces mesures punitives, en particulier à l’encontre de la Russie, dès lors que Washington a, maintenant, officiellement constitué la Chine en seul « adversaire systémique » ? Pour ainsi dire, dans le propos de cet expert auprès du ministère chinois des Finances, il n’y a fondamentalement plus rien à y gagner.
Pris en tenailles
Parmi les grands alliés industriels asiatiques des États-Unis, les inquiétudes portent avant tout sur le secteur des semi-conducteurs. Taeho Bark, président de l’Institut du commerce mondial Lee&Ko, à Séoul, redoute qu’avec la législation de l’administration Biden dite de réduction de l’inflation (IRA), structurant l’appui financier à la localisation de la production de puces sur le sol américain, l’on fasse « perdre l’opportunité » de réformer l’ensemble des règles de subventions dans ce domaine. Cet ancien ministre sud-coréen du Commerce extérieur exprime de vives préoccupations, en écho à celles de l’actuel gouvernement, d’être alors pris en tenailles entre les largesses budgétaires des deux plus grands produits intérieurs bruts au monde.
Mais c’est un conseiller de l’exécutif européen qui vient pointer auprès de ses interlocuteurs asiatiques l’évolution la plus lourde de conséquences à ses yeux : l’arsenal réglementaire édicté par Washington le 7 octobre, qui vise à limiter radicalement la vente d’équipements de production de puces à des sociétés chinoises.
Pour l’économiste japonais Motoshige Itoh, de l’Université de Tokyo, l’inquiétude est alors à relier à une puissante volonté de « centralisation » aux États-Unis des chaînes d’approvisionnement technologiques, au travers de la fabrication des semi-conducteurs. Cet ancien conseiller gouvernemental n’est pas loin de penser que les Chinois ne vont ainsi qu’en renforcer leur argumentaire d’auto-suffisance.
Le fondateur de la World Policy Conference, qui se tient cette fin de semaine à Abu Dhabi, et de l’Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri), se montre de nouveau très circonspect sur l’allié américain. Bien qu’ils fassent preuve d’un fort soutien à l’Ukraine, les Etats-Unis profitent d’une opportunité qui accroît, selon Thierry de Montbrial, la dépendance de l’Europe à Washington.
Thierry de Montbrial.
Fondateur de la World Policy Conference
Les Européens viennent d’imposer un embargo sur le pétrole russe. Croyez-vous à l’efficacité des sanctions économiques ?
Dans sa réalité actuelle, l’Union européenne est inapte à la stratégie. Nous agissons au premier degré, c’est-à-dire sous l’emprise de l’émotion, au nom du bien et du mal. Avec deux instruments : les sanctions et les promesses d’élargissement de l’Union européenne. Les sanctions nous blessent à chaque fois un peu plus. Il se trouve qu’à chaque fois, nous devenons un peu plus dépendants des Etats-Unis qui font, eux, de la stratégie, en combinant froidement les valeurs et les intérêts. L’un de leurs objectifs est de devenir les maîtres du jeu dans le domaine de l’énergie.
Ce ne sont pas les Américains qui ont commencé la guerre en Ukraine. Au pire, ils profitent d’une opportunité…
Les deux sont vrais. Notez qu’ils n’ont jamais cherché à favoriser des solutions diplomatiques sur des questions comme la Crimée ou le Donbass. Il est vrai aussi que les Européens ne les y ont pas sérieusement encouragés. Les accords de Minsk ne pouvaient pas aboutir. Les Américains nous ont alertés mollement sur la possibilité d’une agression de la Russie en Ukraine, mais il n’y a pas eu de réflexion stratégique commune pour y parer. La préoccupation majeure outre-Atlantique, c’est la Chine.
La guerre d’Ukraine est d’abord apparue aux yeux des Américains comme une difficulté supplémentaire, puis ils l’ont vue comme une opportunité. Ce qui s’est traduit concrètement par l’élargissement de l’Otan, même si la Turquie freine les choses, sans état d’âme, dans son propre intérêt ; puis par la dépendance accrue de l’Union européenne vis-à-vis des Etats-Unis aussi bien en termes sécuritaires classiques que dans le domaine de l’énergie. Les Etats-Unis jouent remarquablement. J’aimerais que les Européens apprennent à devenir aussi bons stratèges qu’eux. C’est une question clé pour l’avenir de l’Union européenne.
Pourtant, à court terme, les Américains sont gênés par une forte inflation ?
Mais on voit bien que Joe Biden s’en tire magnifiquement avec son plan anti-inflation, que nous n’aimons pas. Sur le long terme, les Américains sont évidemment gagnants. Et ils vont tout faire pour nous aligner derrière eux, face à la Chine.
Quand la guerre sera terminée, les pressions pour un élargissement effectif et rapide de l’Union européenne seront considérables et sa gouvernance risquera de se trouver paralysée.
Et le deuxième instrument, l’élargissement de l’Union européenne ?
L’Union européenne est fragilisée. Nous sommes dans une phase d’accélération tous azimuts. On risque de se retrouver encore plus dépendants pour notre sécurité. Quant à l’économie, je doute de la capacité européenne à faire émerger une stratégie cohérente sur le plan commercial et industriel par exemple. Il est tellement plus simple pour la plupart des pays membres de s’en remettre à celle que Raymond Aron appelait la République impériale.
L’autonomie stratégique peut-elle devenir réalité ? Je l’espère ardemment, mais… Quand la guerre sera terminée, les pressions pour un élargissement effectif et rapide de l’Union européenne seront considérables et sa gouvernance risquera de se trouver paralysée, d’autant plus que le nationalisme et le souverainisme ont de beaux jours devant eux. Qui peut sérieusement nier ce diagnostic ?
Vous parlez de risque vital alors que l’UE a eu des réactions politiques fortes, face à la pandémie, la guerre d’Ukraine, la crise de l’énergie ?
Les deux ne sont pas incompatibles. Là, vous parlez d’une réaction dans l’urgence. Dans le cas de la santé, c’était la panique. Il était dans l’intérêt général immédiat de réagir ensemble. Cela a été un vrai succès. Il y a quelques semaines, j’ai été très frappé par le discours de Prague d’Olaf Scholz sur l’élargissement. Dans la phase héroïque de la Communauté européenne, on envisageait un nouvel élargissement seulement si on avait réussi l’approfondissement de la phase précédente, pour que l’étape suivante soit un succès. C’était le bon sens.
Géopolitique à Abou Dabi où s’est tenue, ce week-end, la 15ème édition de la World Policy Conference. Trois jours d’échanges sur les événements marquants de 2022 : un monde de plus en plus fragmenté et de nouveaux défis à affronter : dérèglement climatique, crise énergétique, suite de la pandémie, tension croissante entre Washington et Pékin sur la question de Taiwan, sans oublier bien sûr l’agression russe de l’Ukraine, événement majeur de l’année. Quel scénario pour mettre fin à cette guerre en Ukraine qui va bientôt entrer dans son 10ème mois ? Quel impact sur les relations internationales ? Faut-il remettre en cause l’ordre mondial en place, depuis 1945, et renforcer l’ONU pour sortir des logiques d’affrontements ? À quoi pourrait ressembler le monde d’après la guerre ?
Deux invités :
– Thierry de Montbrial, président et fondateur de la World Policy Conference et président de l’IFRI, l’Institut français de relations internationales, auteur de «Vivre le temps des troubles» chez Albin Michel
– Jean-Pierre Cabestan, chercheur associé à Asia Centre, basé à Hongkong, vient de publier « Demain la Chine : guerre ou paix ? » chez Gallimard.
#أبو ظبي– سابين عويسفيما يغرق اللبنانيون في يومياتهم البائسة بحثاً عن مقومات عيش كريم، من دون أي أفق واضح لمستقبل يكتنفه غموض حول ما تحمله المعادلات الجديدة التي ترتسم في المنطقة، كان مستقبل #الشرق الأوسط والدول الدائرة في فلكه محور جلسات نقاش استضافها مؤتمر السياسات العالمية “world Policy Conference ” في طبعته الرابعة عشرة التي انعقدت على مدى ثلاثة أيام في مدينة أبو ظبي الاماراتية، حيث اجتمعت اكثر من ٣٠٠ شخصية من عالم الاقتصاد الجيوسياسي ومراكز الابحاث والدراسات للبحث بأجندا محفوفة بالملفات الساخنة التي اقلقت وشغلت العالم على مدى العامين الماضيين.لم يكن الملف الصحي غداة جائحة كورونا التي شلت العالم، الهاجس الوحيد على طاولة قصر المؤتمرات، بقدر ما كانت مسألة التعاطي والخروج منها امراً أكثر اهمية في ضوء التداعيات السلبية للاقفال التي ترافقت مع متغيرات مهمة جداً في المشهد السياسي الاقليمي والدولي.لم يغب عن المجتمعين هاجس الصراع الاميركي الصيني الذي بدأ يتحول الى ما يشبه الحرب الباردة بين العملاقين على قيادة العالم. وليس خافياً ان التغير او ما سُمي هنا بالمزاجية الاميركية المتقلبة تجاه اولويات السياسة…
Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s presidential diplomatic adviser and former minister of state for foreign affairs, was speaking at the World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi. (Screenshot) China has emerged as a powerful economic player in the region and is the Gulf’s biggest buyer of crude oil China offers lucrative partnerships to Gulf states…
General view of vehicles stuck in a traffic jam amidst street vendors in the central Attaba district of Egypt’s capital Cairo on This picture taken on Feb. 22, 2021. (File/AFP) (1/2)
Nabil Fahmy, Egypt’s former foreign minister, speaks on the fringes of the World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi. (Supplied) (2/2)
Egypt is emerging from a decade of upheaval that began with the overthrow of Mubarak
From Libya to Arab-Israeli peace, Cairo is reasserting its authority on the regional stage
BOGOTA/ABU DHABI: Egypt has experienced a decade of upheaval since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, contending with two revolutions, environmental pressures, and more recently the economic challenges of COVID-19.
And yet, this most populous of Arab countries, straddling the African and Asian continents, has emerged from the turbulence with a new sense of purpose and a desire for greater engagement with the region and the world.
It has been announced that Egypt is a nominee to host the COP27 UN climate conference for 2022 — a distinction that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
This October not only marks the 48th anniversary of the 1973 war with Israel; 40 years ago on October 6, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamist extremists during the annual victory parade in Cairo.
For many in the Middle East, Sadat’s positive legacy is a work in progress: The Egypt-Israel peace process, Egyptian economic development and political liberalization, the Palestinian peace process, and overcoming the challenge of violent extremism.
“What I have seen recently, in this last year in particular, is that Egypt is much more engaged in trying to determine movement on regional issues,” Nabil Fahmy, former Egyptian foreign minister, said during a discussion at the World Policy Conference held earlier in October in Abu Dhabi.
“Egypt faced a couple of hurdles. But (look at) the strength of its system. I doubt very few countries in the region, and some abroad, frankly, could have survived two revolutions in three years and come out standing.”
The latest economic forecasts show that Egypt is now entering the recovery phase following the blows of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s clear evidence of economic progress,” Fahmy said. “Even post-pandemic we’re looking at 4 to 5 percent growth this coming year, which is significant.”
His observations were echoed by Egyptian politician and academic Mona Makram-Ebeid at the same conference.
“Now there is a ray of hope emerging and it comes in the form of natural gas discovery, with a potential to boost Egypt’s limping economy and build a new commercial alliance with eastern Mediterranean countries and Israel.
“Egypt struck the jackpot in 2015 with the discovery of a giant reservoir known as Zohr, which has developed into one of the largest single gas fields in the Middle East.”
To date, Zohr is the biggest gas field discovered in the Mediterranean region, with nearly 30 trillion cubic feet of reserves. The field — which is operated by Italian Eni — started production in December 2017.
From all accounts, there has been marked progress in more than just the economic field. Egypt is also making strides in institutional reform, bolstering the rule of law and addressing international concerns over its rights record.
“Just three weeks ago, we issued a new human rights doctrine,” Fahmy said. “It’s not perfect. Human rights doctrines and applications anywhere in the world are not perfect. But it’s tremendous progress. And it’s a reflection that we want to move forward.
People shop from a stall selling Ramadan lanterns along a main street in the in the northern suburb of Shubra (home to a large Christian population) of Egypt’s capital Cairo on April 12, 2021, at the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
“Short term, it’s going to be a challenge. Medium term, I’m much more confident. But, as Egyptians, given our weight, given the role we have to play, I also want us to be able to look long term and engage with our neighbors.”
Makram-Ebeid praised the new doctrine, saying that it would have a positive impact on several aspects of Egyptian life.
“It will give access to job opportunities, education, healthcare and religious freedoms,” she said.
Egypt’s latest decade of upheaval began on Jan. 25, 2011, when thousands of protesters spilled onto the streets of Cairo to demand change. Aggressive police tactics to quell the protests culminated in calls for Mubarak’s removal.
Egyptian demonstrators tear a portrait of President Hosni Mubarak during a protest against his rule in the northern port city of Alexandria on January 25, 2011. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo by – / AFP)
When he was finally toppled from power, young Egyptians felt their moment had come to create a fairer society. In reality, it was only the beginning of a fresh period of discontent and uncertainty. The country was rocked by new economic calamities and the rise to power of Mohamed Morsi — an Islamist politician affiliated with the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
The “second Egyptian revolution” came in 2013, a year after Morsi’s inauguration. The resumption of street protests that summer saw Morsi forced from office and the Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist organization.
The following year, Morsi’s defense minister, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, won the presidential election and was sworn into office.
“The basic challenge between the Muslim Brotherhood and the rest of the Egyptian system was about our identity,” Fahmy told the WPC event.
“Are we Egyptians including some Muslim Brotherhood, or are we the Muslim Brotherhood that has some Egyptians? That’s an existential threat and that’s why the clash happened quickly. Not only political influencers, but also the middle class were actually against the form of government that was being formed by the Muslim Brotherhood when they came into power.”
Egypt’s deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi sists behind the defendants cage during a trial at the police academy court in Cairo on November 5, 2014. Morsi is on trial in several cases and faces a death sentence if convicted of espionage and terrorism related charges. AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo by STR / AFP)
The Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Egypt by Hassan Al-Banna, and later spread throughout the Middle East into Sudan, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon and across North Africa, where its affiliates have had varying degrees of success.
“The Muslim Brotherhood was born in Egypt, so there will be some trends in Egypt. But the reality is, if you try to build for the future, then our youth want to be engaged in the world,” Fahmy said.
“A dogmatic ideology doesn’t fit Egypt. We need to engage with the world, and I think that ideology is a threat to modernity.
“The influence of the Brotherhood today in Egypt is highly diminished and the government, currently — whether one agrees or disagrees with some details of policy is irrelevant — is an activist government trying to respond to the basic, immediate needs of the people.”
Egypt’s greater emphasis on regional and global engagement has been evident in recent months. Besides recent talks with senior Iraqi and Syrian officials, Egypt has also made diplomatic headway with its rivals. “We have engaged in a dialogue with Turkey,” Fahmy said. “It’s slow, (so) don’t be overly optimistic.”
One diplomatic front where Egypt has made noteworthy progress in the last year is Libya, which in the past decade has become a haven for human smugglers and religious extremists.
During the same revolutionary wave that overthrew Mubarak, the Libyan people rose up against their long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi. However, a decade on from his downfall, the oil-rich country remains mired in chaos and political gridlock.
Since the two countries share a porous desert border, the extremists based in Libya have, time and again, succeeded in carrying out attacks against Egyptian security forces and Christians.
In recent months, Egypt has engaged with Libya’s feuding parties to ensure that national elections are held in December as scheduled. Cairo believes a fair and transparent election will help put its war-torn neighbor on the path to stability and recovery.
Fahmy says there has been good progress on the Libya issue, but he doubts the elections scheduled for Dec. 24 by the country’s recently installed Government of National Unity will go ahead as planned. “I would love to be proven wrong,” he said.
Fahmy is well regarded after his years as a career diplomat and academic. He is the founding dean of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and Distinguished University Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the American University in Cairo. He has dedicated many years of study to Arab-Israeli diplomacy, making him a leading authority on the peace process.
Last summer, the UAE became the first Arab country to sign the Abraham Accords, a series of US-brokered diplomatic agreements inked between Israel and Arab states. The Aug. 13, 2020 signing marked the first time an Arab country had publicly established relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.
Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat (L), Israeli Premier Menachem Begin (R) and US President Jimmy Carter (C) shake hands after a press conference in the East Room of the White House, on September 17, 1978. Egypt began peace initiatives with Israel in late 1977. A year later, with the help of Carter, terms of peace between Egypt and Israel were negotiated at Camp David. A formal treaty, signed 26 March 1979 in Washington, D.C., granted full recognition of Israel by Egypt, opened trade relations between the two counties, and limited Egyptian military buildup in the Sinai. Israel agreed to return to final portion of occupied Sinai to Egypt. (Photo by – / FILES-CONSOLIDATED NEWS PICTURES / AFP)
Although the agreements have shown potential, critics say they have done little to bring the Palestinians any closer to statehood. And while several governments have embraced the accords, the normalization of ties with Israel has been harder to sell to Arab publics.
“You can’t overemphasize that the Palestinian issue, per se, is a very emotional issue throughout the Arab world and therefore reactions to it tend to be very strong in either way,” Fahmy said.
“My point is the following — and I have said this to my Palestinian colleagues — I understand your concern, I understand your fear, but focus on building your case rather than on criticizing somebody. Because, in the case of those who signed the accords, even if we don’t agree with them, they have all committed to helping establish and support a Palestinian state.
“So, my recommendation to Arabs: Be a bit sensitive in the steps you take. You will have to face that this is sensitive, you will get some criticism.
“I would tell my Arab colleagues, I would tell the Palestinians, come up with ideas on how to move forward politically, and don’t let the political process die.”
Mona Makram Abed with President El-Sisi, Dec. 4 2016. (Facebook)
Given Egypt’s renewed assertiveness on the regional stage, Fahmy hopes other Arab countries will follow Egypt’s lead and come to the negotiating table to speak frankly about the way forward. “Arabs are lovely in their ability to agree. Our problem is our inability to disagree,” he said.
“Let me seize this occasion to call on Egypt and the Arab countries: We should all speak much more about our vision for the future, for the region, and what we want to see for the Middle East as a whole in concrete terms.
“We don’t have to agree, but we need to engage in a dialogue and let’s see how much agreement and how much disagreement we have. Because allowing others to set the agenda is very dangerous.”
本台（法廣）法語部的地緣政治欄目本月初做的一個題為“正在發生變化的全球化”節目中指出，世界已經變得複雜，難以破譯，而且比以往任何時候都更加相互關聯。面對不斷變化的全球化，在美中關係史無前例的分裂和推動下，人們越來越感到集體知識和合作的必要性。記者 Marie France Chatin 對世界政策會議的創始人和主席，同時也是法國智庫，法國國際關係研究（IFRI）的創始人和所長德蒙比亞（Thierry de Montbrial）以及法國費加羅報的高級記者和外交政策編輯雷諾吉拉爾德（Renaud Girard）進行了專訪，這次訪問的後半部分談到了中美關係以及台海局勢等主題，其中有些比較獨特的觀察點，在本次國際縱橫節目中與大家分享。
ABU DHABI, 3rd October 2021 (WAM) – A number of ministers and officials from the United Arab Emirates have participated in the World Policy Conference, hosted in Abu Dhabi, to share the geopolitical, cultural, and economic priorities of the country.
Founded in 2008 by Thierry de Montbrial, Chairman of the French Institute of International Relations, the World Policy Conference held its fourteenth edition from October 1-3, 2021 in the UAE for the first time. The World Policy Conference brings together top-level decision-makers, academics, and opinion leaders from over 40 countries to discuss solutions to contemporary global challenges and forge bonds between key international actors.
UAE officials participating in the World Policy Conference included Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State; Khalifa Shaheen Almarar, Minister of State; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; and Salem Mohammed Al Zaabi, Director of the International Security Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Dr. Gargash participated in a discussion with Thierry de Montbrial on geopolitical issues on Saturday, October 2. During his participation, Gargash addressed regional and international challenges, noting “Confrontation is not the way forward. Rather, conversation is the way forward. The UAE is exerting all efforts to maintain dialogue between states. The Abraham Accords are emblematic of this: the Accords have been a success in breaking the psychological barrier to peace and strengthening the economic and people-to-people benefits that all can reap.”
“The UAE has historically played a significant role as a mediator and facilitator, and our priority is on maintaining the fabric of trust in the international community in order to encourage positive engagement between states,” Dr. Gargash added.
In his participation in a workshop on Africa held on Saturday, Sheikh Shakhbout Al Nahyan reviewed the UAE’s efforts to strengthen partnerships throughout the African continent, pointing to the ways in which the UAE has expanded economic and political relations with African states in recent years.
Sheikh Shakhbout remarked, “We are excited to enter a new era, post COVID-19, when we will be able to build stronger partnerships across Africa with the hopes of creating a better future for our countries and regions a future built on stability, security, and sustainability. We understand that the only way to achieve this is through dialogue, open channels of communication, the exchange of information and knowledge, and above all, the development of strategic partnerships that are mutually beneficial.”
Almarar, during a session entitled “Middle East and External Powers” held on Sunday, October 3, underscored the UAE’s commitment to reinforcing regional stability and security through a multilateral, rules-based approach in coordination with its international partners.
In his remarks, Almarar stated, “We have to acknowledge that there are legitimate concerns and legitimate interest among world powers in the development of the Middle East insofar as security and stability are concerned There is consensus among Arab countries that any malicious intervention in crises in the region can make a very complex situation more complex. Therefore, we feel it is necessary to promote stability, security, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”
Al Hashemy attended virtually to highlight the UAE’s hosting of Expo 2020 Dubai, stating, “I am proud to share with you all that yesterday’s opening of Expo 2020 Dubai was one that exemplified the years of hard work and aspirations of the UAE and all participating countries and organizations. With 192 participating countries, Expo 2020 Dubai will act as a global platform dedicated to bringing people, nations, and communities together to build bridges, enable action, and inspire real-life solutions to real-world challenges for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. It is also an opportunity for humanity to convene in the spirit of hope, optimism, and positive change for the future.”
Al Zaabi participated in a session on “Afghanistan and the Sahel” on Sunday. During his participation, Al Zaabi reviewed the UAE’s efforts to address the humanitarian and security situations in areas currently experiencing conflict, remarking, “The historic importance of Afghanistan cannot be understated, nor can its impact on the regional climate for security and stability.”
سلطت صحيفة «أراب نيوز» الضوء على خروج مصر من مواجهة الاضطرابات المختلفة وإعادة نفسها من جديد كقوة لايستهان بها في الساحة الإقليمية.
وقالت الصحيفة إن مصر شهدت عقدًا من الاضطرابات منذ 2011 ، حيث واجهت ثورتين وضغوطًا بيئية، ومؤخراً التحديات الاقتصادية لفيروس كورونا كوفيد -19 ومع ذلك فإن مصر الدولة العربية الأكثر اكتظاظًا بالسكان، وتمتد عبر القارتين الأفريقية والآسيوية، خرجت من الاضطرابات بمزيد من المشاركة مع المنطقة والعالم، حيث تم الإعلان عن ترشيح مصر لاستضافة مؤتمر المناخ للأمم المتحدة COP27 لعام 2022 – وهو أمر لم يكن متاح لمصر من قبل.
وقال نبيل فهمي وزير الخارجية المصري السابق، خلال مناقشة في مؤتمر السياسة العالمية الذي عقد في وقت سابق: «ما رأيته مؤخرًا، في العام الماضي على وجه الخصوص، هو أن مصر أكثر الدول انخراطًا وبشكل إيجابي في القضايا الإقليمية».
وتظهر أحدث التوقعات الاقتصادية أن مصر تدخل الآن مرحلة التعافي بعد ضربات وباء كوفيد -19.
وأضاف: «هناك دليل واضح على التقدم الاقتصادي، حتى في فترة ما بعد الجائحة نتطلع إلى تحقيق نمو بنسبة 4 إلى 5% في العام المقبل وهو أمر مهم».
كما قالت منى مكرم عبيد أستاذة العلوم السياسية بالجامعة الأمريكية بالقاهرة في نفس المؤتمر: «هناك الآن بصيص من الأمل يظهر في اكتشاف للغاز الطبيعي، مع إمكانية تعزيز الاقتصاد المتعثر في مصر وبناء تحالف تجاري جديد مع دول شرق البحر المتوسط».
وتابعت: «حتى الآن “ظهر” هو أكبر حقل غاز تم اكتشافه في منطقة البحر الأبيض المتوسط، مع ما يقرب من 30 تريليون قدم مكعب من الاحتياطيات، وبدأ الحقل – الذي تديره شركة إيني الإيطالية – الإنتاج في ديسمبر 2017».
وأضافت: «هناك تقدم ملحوظ ومصر تخطو خطوات واسعة في الإصلاح المؤسسي، وتعزيز سيادة القانون».
وأشادت بالوثيقة الجديدة في مجال حقوق الإنسان، قائلة: “سيكون لها تأثير إيجابي على جوانب عديدة من الحياة المصرية”.
فترة حكم الإخوان
وتابعت الصحيفة أن فترة حكم الإخوان في مصر شهدت عدة كوارث هزت البلاد مع صعود المخلوع محمد مرسي إلى السلطة.
وفي عام 2013، وبعد عام من تنصيب مرسي خرج الشعب المصري لرافض حكم الإخوان، مجبرا مرسي على التنحي وتصنيف جماعة الإخوان المسلمين كمنظمة إرهابية.
الدور المصري في حل أزمة ليبيا
كانت ليبيا إحدى الجبهات الدبلوماسية التي أحرزت مصر فيها تقدمًا ملحوظًا العام الماضي، حيث تحولت ليبيا في العقد الماضي إلى ملاذًا لمهربي البشر والمتطرفين
Le Premier ministre ivoirien Patrick Achi a participé à l’ouverture de la 14ème édition de la World Policy Conference, le 1er octobre 2021 à Abu Dhabi (Émirats Arabes Unis). Représentant le Président Alassane Ouattara, le chef du gouvernement a plaidé pour un financement important des économies africaines.
La World Policy Conference est une initiative de l’Ifri, l’Institut français des relations internationales créé par le professeur émérite français, Thierry de Montbrial en 1979. Elle réunit des personnalités de haut niveau venues des quatre coins du monde dont les dirigeants politiques et économiques, chercheurs et journalistes, dans l’esprit de tolérance seul propice à la recherche du bien commun.
Dans son discours au cours de cette conférence d’ouverture, Patrick Achi a expliqué les enjeux du financement des pays africains qui ont subi les affres sociaux-économiques de la crise sanitaire : «Les pays du continent sont dans
une situation post-Covid encore plus exigeante avec la baisse tendancielle de la croissance. Il faut permettre aux pays africains d’accéder à des ressources de grande ampleur et à faible coût», a-t-il indiqué.
Selon le chef du gouvernement, ces ressources permettront d’investir dans les secteurs sociaux et dans les infrastructures, afin de créer un écosystème favorable à l’accélération du développement de l’Afrique.
Rappelons que les assises de la WPC qui se tiennent du 1er au 3 octobre 2021 dans la capitale des Emirats Arabes Unis et portent essentiellement sur les politiques économiques pratiquées dans le monde. La Côte d’Ivoire qui est sur la voie de la transformation profonde de son économie est très attendue à ce rendez-vous mondial.
ABU DHABI, 6th October, 2021 (WAM) — Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, has received Patrick Achi, Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, to discuss ways of enhancing bilateral ties and a host of issues of mutual interest.
The Ivory Coast’s Prime Minister is in Abu Dhabi to participate in the World Policy Conference.
Sheikh Shakhbout said UAE-Ivory Coast relations were progressing steadily, noting tremendous potential and opportunities to push them forward in the best interest of the two countries.
For his part, Patrick Achi expressed his pride in the strong relationship that binds his country with the UAE, pointing out that there are many opportunities to advance bilateral ties.
General view of vehicles stuck in a traffic jam amidst street vendors in the central Attaba district of Egypt’s capital Cairo on This picture taken on Feb. 22, 2021. (File/AFP) (1/2)
Nabil Fahmy, Egypt’s former foreign minister, speaks on the fringes of the World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi. (Supplied) (2/2)
Egypt is emerging from a decade of upheaval that began with the overthrow of Mubarak
From Libya to Arab-Israeli peace, Cairo is reasserting its authority on the regional stage
BOGOTA/ABU DHABI: Egypt has experienced a decade of upheaval since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, contending with two revolutions, environmental pressures, and more recently the economic challenges of COVID-19.
And yet, this most populous of Arab countries, straddling the African and Asian continents, has emerged from the turbulence with a new sense of purpose and a desire for greater engagement with the region and the world.
It has been announced that Egypt is a nominee to host the COP27 UN climate conference for 2022 — a distinction that seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
This October not only marks the 48th anniversary of the 1973 war with Israel; 40 years ago on October 6, President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamist extremists during the annual victory parade in Cairo.
For many in the Middle East, Sadat’s positive legacy is a work in progress: The Egypt-Israel peace process, Egyptian economic development and political liberalization, the Palestinian peace process, and overcoming the challenge of violent extremism.
“What I have seen recently, in this last year in particular, is that Egypt is much more engaged in trying to determine movement on regional issues,” Nabil Fahmy, former Egyptian foreign minister, said during a discussion at the World Policy Conference held earlier in October in Abu Dhabi.
“Egypt faced a couple of hurdles. But (look at) the strength of its system. I doubt very few countries in the region, and some abroad, frankly, could have survived two revolutions in three years and come out standing.”
The latest economic forecasts show that Egypt is now entering the recovery phase following the blows of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s clear evidence of economic progress,” Fahmy said. “Even post-pandemic we’re looking at 4 to 5 percent growth this coming year, which is significant.”
His observations were echoed by Egyptian politician and academic Mona Makram-Ebeid at the same conference.
“Now there is a ray of hope emerging and it comes in the form of natural gas discovery, with a potential to boost Egypt’s limping economy and build a new commercial alliance with eastern Mediterranean countries and Israel.
“Egypt struck the jackpot in 2015 with the discovery of a giant reservoir known as Zohr, which has developed into one of the largest single gas fields in the Middle East.”
To date, Zohr is the biggest gas field discovered in the Mediterranean region, with nearly 30 trillion cubic feet of reserves. The field — which is operated by Italian Eni — started production in December 2017.
From all accounts, there has been marked progress in more than just the economic field. Egypt is also making strides in institutional reform, bolstering the rule of law and addressing international concerns over its rights record.
“Just three weeks ago, we issued a new human rights doctrine,” Fahmy said. “It’s not perfect. Human rights doctrines and applications anywhere in the world are not perfect. But it’s tremendous progress. And it’s a reflection that we want to move forward.
People shop from a stall selling Ramadan lanterns along a main street in the in the northern suburb of Shubra (home to a large Christian population) of Egypt’s capital Cairo on April 12, 2021, at the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
“Short term, it’s going to be a challenge. Medium term, I’m much more confident. But, as Egyptians, given our weight, given the role we have to play, I also want us to be able to look long term and engage with our neighbors.”
Makram-Ebeid praised the new doctrine, saying that it would have a positive impact on several aspects of Egyptian life.
“It will give access to job opportunities, education, healthcare and religious freedoms,” she said.
Egypt’s latest decade of upheaval began on Jan. 25, 2011, when thousands of protesters spilled onto the streets of Cairo to demand change. Aggressive police tactics to quell the protests culminated in calls for Mubarak’s removal.
Egyptian demonstrators tear a portrait of President Hosni Mubarak during a protest against his rule in the northern port city of Alexandria on January 25, 2011. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo by – / AFP)
When he was finally toppled from power, young Egyptians felt their moment had come to create a fairer society. In reality, it was only the beginning of a fresh period of discontent and uncertainty. The country was rocked by new economic calamities and the rise to power of Mohamed Morsi — an Islamist politician affiliated with the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
The “second Egyptian revolution” came in 2013, a year after Morsi’s inauguration. The resumption of street protests that summer saw Morsi forced from office and the Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist organization.
The following year, Morsi’s defense minister, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, won the presidential election and was sworn into office.
“The basic challenge between the Muslim Brotherhood and the rest of the Egyptian system was about our identity,” Fahmy told the WPC event.
“Are we Egyptians including some Muslim Brotherhood, or are we the Muslim Brotherhood that has some Egyptians? That’s an existential threat and that’s why the clash happened quickly. Not only political influencers, but also the middle class were actually against the form of government that was being formed by the Muslim Brotherhood when they came into power.”
Egypt’s deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi sists behind the defendants cage during a trial at the police academy court in Cairo on November 5, 2014. Morsi is on trial in several cases and faces a death sentence if convicted of espionage and terrorism related charges. AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo by STR / AFP)
The Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Egypt by Hassan Al-Banna, and later spread throughout the Middle East into Sudan, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon and across North Africa, where its affiliates have had varying degrees of success.
“The Muslim Brotherhood was born in Egypt, so there will be some trends in Egypt. But the reality is, if you try to build for the future, then our youth want to be engaged in the world,” Fahmy said.
“A dogmatic ideology doesn’t fit Egypt. We need to engage with the world, and I think that ideology is a threat to modernity.
“The influence of the Brotherhood today in Egypt is highly diminished and the government, currently — whether one agrees or disagrees with some details of policy is irrelevant — is an activist government trying to respond to the basic, immediate needs of the people.”
Egypt’s greater emphasis on regional and global engagement has been evident in recent months. Besides recent talks with senior Iraqi and Syrian officials, Egypt has also made diplomatic headway with its rivals. “We have engaged in a dialogue with Turkey,” Fahmy said. “It’s slow, (so) don’t be overly optimistic.”
One diplomatic front where Egypt has made noteworthy progress in the last year is Libya, which in the past decade has become a haven for human smugglers and religious extremists.
During the same revolutionary wave that overthrew Mubarak, the Libyan people rose up against their long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi. However, a decade on from his downfall, the oil-rich country remains mired in chaos and political gridlock.
Since the two countries share a porous desert border, the extremists based in Libya have, time and again, succeeded in carrying out attacks against Egyptian security forces and Christians.
In recent months, Egypt has engaged with Libya’s feuding parties to ensure that national elections are held in December as scheduled. Cairo believes a fair and transparent election will help put its war-torn neighbor on the path to stability and recovery.
Fahmy says there has been good progress on the Libya issue, but he doubts the elections scheduled for Dec. 24 by the country’s recently installed Government of National Unity will go ahead as planned. “I would love to be proven wrong,” he said.
Fahmy is well regarded after his years as a career diplomat and academic. He is the founding dean of the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and Distinguished University Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the American University in Cairo. He has dedicated many years of study to Arab-Israeli diplomacy, making him a leading authority on the peace process.
Last summer, the UAE became the first Arab country to sign the Abraham Accords, a series of US-brokered diplomatic agreements inked between Israel and Arab states. The Aug. 13, 2020 signing marked the first time an Arab country had publicly established relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.
Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat (L), Israeli Premier Menachem Begin (R) and US President Jimmy Carter (C) shake hands after a press conference in the East Room of the White House, on September 17, 1978. Egypt began peace initiatives with Israel in late 1977. A year later, with the help of Carter, terms of peace between Egypt and Israel were negotiated at Camp David. A formal treaty, signed 26 March 1979 in Washington, D.C., granted full recognition of Israel by Egypt, opened trade relations between the two counties, and limited Egyptian military buildup in the Sinai. Israel agreed to return to final portion of occupied Sinai to Egypt. (Photo by – / FILES-CONSOLIDATED NEWS PICTURES / AFP)
Although the agreements have shown potential, critics say they have done little to bring the Palestinians any closer to statehood. And while several governments have embraced the accords, the normalization of ties with Israel has been harder to sell to Arab publics.
“You can’t overemphasize that the Palestinian issue, per se, is a very emotional issue throughout the Arab world and therefore reactions to it tend to be very strong in either way,” Fahmy said.
“My point is the following — and I have said this to my Palestinian colleagues — I understand your concern, I understand your fear, but focus on building your case rather than on criticizing somebody. Because, in the case of those who signed the accords, even if we don’t agree with them, they have all committed to helping establish and support a Palestinian state.
“So, my recommendation to Arabs: Be a bit sensitive in the steps you take. You will have to face that this is sensitive, you will get some criticism.
“I would tell my Arab colleagues, I would tell the Palestinians, come up with ideas on how to move forward politically, and don’t let the political process die.”
Mona Makram Abed with President El-Sisi, Dec. 4 2016. (Facebook)
Given Egypt’s renewed assertiveness on the regional stage, Fahmy hopes other Arab countries will follow Egypt’s lead and come to the negotiating table to speak frankly about the way forward. “Arabs are lovely in their ability to agree. Our problem is our inability to disagree,” he said.
“Let me seize this occasion to call on Egypt and the Arab countries: We should all speak much more about our vision for the future, for the region, and what we want to see for the Middle East as a whole in concrete terms.
“We don’t have to agree, but we need to engage in a dialogue and let’s see how much agreement and how much disagreement we have. Because allowing others to set the agenda is very dangerous.”
Main objective of visit to GCC capitals is “to advance EU’s strategic cooperation with Gulf
Borrell expresses EU’s “support for ongoing normalization of relations within the Gulf family”
RIYADH: A trained aeronautical engineer, economist and professor of mathematics, Josep Borrell entered politics in the 1970s during Spain’s turbulent transition to democracy. Before he was appointed high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs in December 2019, he held a number of ministerial posts in the socialist governments of Felipe Gonzales.
In a blog post on Thursday, Borrell described his visit to Riyadh, with stops in Doha and Abu Dhabi, as an opportunity to explore the response to “significant political change” in “a dynamic region” and “develop new forms of cooperation” between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Below is the full transcript of an interview he gave to Arab News on the eve of his visit.
Q: Can you tell us about the main issues on the agenda of your visit to the GCC and, in particular, your meetings with the Saudi leadership?
A: Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are very important partners for the EU. I already met or spoke to many of my counterparts from the Gulf, but this my first visit to the region as EU high representative.
My main objective is to advance the EU’s strategic cooperation with Gulf partners on global, regional and bilateral matters of common interest. This includes climate change, but also global access to vaccines and supporting the “green economy.”
I also want to stress the EU’s unwavering support for the ongoing normalization of relations within the Gulf family after a rift that lasted three long years and ended last January at the AlUla summit.
The GCC is one of our oldest partners. After more than 30 years of EU-GCC partnership, we should use the current momentum to give our cooperation a more strategic orientation.
Foreign Policy chief of the European Union Josep Borrell holds a press briefing alongside Qatari Foreign Minister (unseen) in Doha, on September 30, 2021. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
In my meetings with Gulf partners in New York last week on the margins of the UN General Assembly, I shared my intention to convene a joint cooperation council at ministerial level early next year — during the Saudi presidency of the GCC.
My meetings in Riyadh will be an essential part of my visit. Saudi Arabia is an important actor on the global and multilateral stage, and I trust that its robust commitments at the upcoming COP26 will inspire other energy producers.
We will discuss how best to support Saudi Arabia’s domestic transformation and economic diversification, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and with the involvement of European companies.
With Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, I intend to sign a cooperation arrangement that reflects our mutual wish to further intensify our cooperation, and will be a useful instrument to do so.
Q: You recently met Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in New York. What assurances did he give you about Iran’s compliance with the 2015 nuclear pact?
A: As coordinator of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), I have always been clear: We must go back to full implementation of the deal, which means a return of the US into the agreement with the lifting of related US sanctions and Iran’s full compliance with its nuclear commitments.
The nuclear deal remains a key security achievement. Without it, Iran could have developed nuclear weapons by now, adding yet another source of instability to the region.
Obviously, I am concerned about the negative trajectory of Iranian nuclear activities. That is why it is crucial to resume negotiations in Vienna as soon as possible and from where we left off on June 20.
My message to Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian in New York City was simple: Diplomacy is the solution; let’s go back to Vienna without delay.
European High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell gives a doorstep statement as he arrives for the informal meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brdo pri Kranju on September 2, 2021. (Photo by Jure Makovec / AFP)
Borrell, seen here in September, told Arab News he was concerned about the negative trajectory of Iranian nuclear activities. (AFP/File Photo)
Q: Do you get a sense that the new Iranian government, despite its hardline reputation, wants to improve its relations with its Gulf Arab neighbors as well as the West?
A: Diplomacy offers the only real path to address the open issues in the Gulf and among neighbors. I cannot speak for the intentions of other governments, but I have noted more dialogue between countries in the region.
The Baghdad Conference (for Cooperation and Partnership) on August 28 and the bilateral talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran are such examples. These are welcome developments and I was happy to participate in the follow-up event to the conference in New York recently.
The EU is ready to support the countries in the Gulf region to build a shared sense of security and cooperation. In this sense, the (Iran) nuclear deal is also crucial.
I am still convinced that if we do manage to preserve the JCPOA and ensure its full implementation, it can become a stepping stone toward addressing other shared concerns, including those related to regional security.
Q: AUKUS — the recently formed trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK and the US — was badly received by some in the EU. How could it have been handled better?
A: There was clear disappointment in Europe about the way this issue was handled. We are friends and allies. And friends and allies talk to each other.
Since the announcement of AUKUS, we have talked to our US partners. I had a good meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month in New York City.
We now consider this situation clarified. Proof of this is the joint statement between (French) President (Emmanuel) Macron and US President (Joe) Biden, in which the US acknowledged that the situation would have benefited from open consultations among allies.
Josep Borrell used a blog post to describe his visit to Riyadh, with stops in Doha and Abu Dhabi for the World Policy Conference (pictured). (Supplied)
We now have to move forward. The EU and the US cannot afford to be divided. We are unique partners working side by side on many important global topics such as health and climate change, working for our democracies.
These recent events also clearly underline the strength of European unity and remind us once again of the need to reflect on how to build, strengthen and advance European strategic autonomy.
Europe must be more united in terms of security and defense. If the European Union pooled its defense capabilities, and avoided overlaps, we would be a lot more efficient in many of the world’s crises.
Q: The chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan has created an image of the West as uncoordinated, divided and unreliable. Do you think the solution lies in higher European defense spending instead of continued reliance on American firepower?
A: It is not a question of choosing one or the other, but, certainly, Afghanistan has shown in a striking way that deficiencies in EU capacity to act autonomously come at a price.
I want to be clear: Acting autonomously does not equal moving away from our transatlantic partnership. On the contrary, a stronger European Union in defense means a stronger partner for the US and for NATO. It means being more capable of acting together with partners wherever possible, and alone when necessary if our interests and values we stand for are at stake. The only way forward is to combine our forces and strengthen not only our capabilities, but also our will to act.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell removes his face mask prior to speaking during a press conference following the informal EU Foreign Ministers meeting, with a main focus on Afghanistan at the EU Delegation on September 20, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)
During his interview with Arab News, Borrell said Saudi Arabia remains an important actor on the global and multilateral stage. (AFP/File Photo)
This means enhancing our capacity to respond to hybrid challenges, covering key capability gaps, including logistic transport, raising the level of readiness through joint military training and developing new tools.
We have discussed these kinds of proposals for many years. I hope that, paired with recent developments, this will create enough common understanding of the challenges and threats we are facing to mobilize the common will of the member states.
Q: You have said there is still ‘a wide demand and compelling need for Europe to speak up and back up its positions with the instruments and forms of leverage we have.’ Has such an approach worked in Libya, for instance? Will it work with the Taliban?
A: Libya and Afghanistan are very different. With regard to Libya, the EU and its member states agree on the need to hold elections on December 24 and to implement the ceasefire agreement, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces. To this end, we have aligned a number of instruments, including technical support for elections and civilian missions in support of the ceasefire agreement and to implement the arms embargo.
Afghanistan finds itself at a crossroads after decades of conflict. We have to provide strong support to the Afghan people, including those present in the region. EU countries have set clear conditions that will determine the level of engagement with the Taliban. Talks with the Taliban are necessary to prevent a humanitarian tragedy and assist in the protection of the vulnerable.
Those talks do not equal recognition. This will be an operational engagement and how much we engage will depend on the behavior of this caretaker government.
Q: Do you think the EU and the GCC are more or less on the same page on the major Middle Eastern and Central Asian issues of the day — from Iran and Middle Eastern refugees to Yemen and Afghanistan?
A: I think we all are interested in the stability, security and well-being of our own citizens and our neighbors. This should be a common objective of all our efforts and cooperation.
When it comes to Yemen, the international community, including the GCC, is unanimous: We want to see an end to the fighting and to the suffering of the Yemeni people. I will engage thoroughly on Yemen during my (Riyadh) visit.
On Afghanistan there is a broad international consensus that the country cannot become an exporter of instability, terrorism and migration flows. And it is the countries in the region who are affected first by any negative spillover of the situation (in Afghanistan).
This is why the EU tries to engage and coordinate its engagement and activities with partners in affected regions. Big challenges can be effectively and sustainably solved only by joint efforts.
The Qatari top diplomat discussed with Abu Dhabi’s crown prince “ways to enhance ties to serve the interests of their nations.”
Qatari foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. (REUTERS)
DUBAI–Qatar’s foreign minister visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he met Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on Wednesday, state news agency WAM reported, as the two Gulf states work on improving bilateral ties after years of a bitter rivalry.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani was received by the crown prince in Abu Dhabi and discussed “ways to enhance them (ties) to serve the interests of their nations,” WAM reported.
Wednesday’s meeting followed a similar visit in August by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed al-Nayhan, UAE’s National Security Adviser and a brother of Sheikh Mohamed, to Doha where he met Qatar’s emir.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt agreed in January to end the dispute that had led them to sever ties with Qatar in 2017 over accusations that Doha supported “terrorism”, a reference to Islamist groups. Doha denied the charges.
Riyadh and Cairo have led efforts to mend ties and appointed ambassadors to Qatar, while Abu Dhabi and Manama have yet to do so. All but Bahrain have restored travel and trade links.
The Gulf states have been pursuing a more moderate approach to defuse regional tensions, including with their rivals Iran and Turkey, as the United States reduced its military power in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE rely heavily on Washington for their security.
Earlier last week, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, told a conference in Abu Dhabi that there was uncertainty about the United States commitment to the region and concern over a “looming cold war” between Washington and Beijing.
He said the UAE is trying to manage long-running rivalries with Iran and Turkey through dialogue to avoid any new confrontations in the region as the Arab Gulf state homes in on its economy post COVID-19.
“We will see in the coming period really what is going on with regards to America’s footprint in the region. I don’t think we know yet, but Afghanistan is definitely a test and to be honest it is a very worrying test,” Gargash said.
“Part of what we need to do is manage our region better. There is a vacuum and whenever there is a vacuum, there is trouble,” he told the World Policy Conference.
The UAE has moved to reduce tensions by engaging with Qatar, Iran and Turkey, whose influence it had moved to counter in conflicts in Yemen, Libya and elsewhere in the region.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia believe the 2015 nuclear pact was flawed for not addressing Iran’s missiles programme and its network of regional proxies. The UAE has also moved to combat Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood which Gulf states see as a threat to their dynastic system of rule.
“Turkey’s recent re-examination of its policies towards Egypt, the Brotherhood and towards Saudi Arabia and others is very welcome. And I think for us to come mid-way and reach out is very important,” Gargash said.
“The Turks have been very positive about what we are saying to them,” he said. “Am I very positive about the reach out to Iran? Yes I am. Am I very positive that Iran will change its regional course? I have to say I am more realistic here, but I am betting Iran is also concerned about vacuum and escalation.”
Gargash said the pandemic placed non-political priorities at the forefront and that a main concern now was being caught in between the United States and China.
“We are all worried very much by a looming cold war. That is bad news for all of us, because the idea of choosing is problematic in the international system, and I think this is not going to be an easy ride,” he said.
*Prime Minister Edi Rama’s address at formal opening ceremony of World Policy Conference in Abu Dhabi:
Dear friends!
As you can imagine, I am among the tallest prime ministers in the world and therefore the temptation to talk about the world is so big, but my country is among the smallest in the world. So, the need to talk about it very big too.
I would try to resist the temptation and fulfil this need without being boring and I hope for your patience to have a certain success.
I very much believe that the globalization is here to stay as long as we live in the same planet, as long as we are warmed under the same sun, as long as dependence on deepening our interconnections has become unstoppable.
Our genuine interest in beyond the borders cooperation is growing bigger despite the reluctances and rejections and multilateralism is and will remain the instrument for cooperation.
The problems we are dealing with today are increasingly more inter-related. Let’s us consider the climate change and, by the way, you all know that global warming is not just a climate issue; it is a development issue, it is a security issue, an issue that affects the strength or the weakening of the world peace as a whole and peace in various regions. It is an issue with a long-term impact. Therefore, the more effectively we deal with it, the better to prevent the natural disasters, fires, floods, prolonged drought, rising water levels, loss of land etcetera.
The COVID-19 pandemic of today, a global issue, has taken so many lives compared to the losses in the world wars. Are we able as isolated nations to fight this plague of modern time?
We saw it and the answer is of course, we are not. The same logic, in my view, applies to the security issue, the fight against international terrorism, the cyber war, to the drinking water and food supply to all, to the goals for a sustainable and long-term development with the aim of leaving no one behind and so on and so forth.
At these times of global challenges, which are also times for trust challenges, a global approach is required. The commitment of all of us within the structures we have set up is required. And for sure, adapting these structures to meet the today’s challenges is a must and not in a homogeneous but rather in a harmonic way, I might say.
Albania believes that the renewal of a profound commitment to impact this multilateralism is more necessary than ever before for us to deliver on peace, democracy, the human rights and development. Within this frame, we strongly support the vision and the ambitious reform agenda of the United Nations system and that of the Security Council as well. With a firm commitment to the principles of multilateralism, Albania successfully chaired the OSCE last year, providing a lasting contribution to peace, human rights and equality.
Under our leadership, the OSCE Ministerial Council agreed on several new commitments on combating transnational organized crime, countering corruption and preventing torture in the OSCE area. We delivered much needed progress in all dimensions of the OSCE security and as a believer in multilateralism at a global level, Albania will for the first time in its UN membership history be a member of the UN Security Council for the term 2022-2023. Fully aware of the responsibilities trusted upon us by the United Nations family, we will bring to the Security Council the perspective of a small country, with a constructive foreign policy and a consistent commitment to multilateralism. With a group of like-minded people we have undertaken to launch a treaty against the pandemic, in order to face successfully such costly pandemic situations.
We are also concerned about the negative consequences of the infodemic in the context of COVID-19, which can heighten the risk of conflicts, violence, human rights violation and the mass atrocities.
We need greater integration for the sustainable development agenda, peace and security and as well as human rights. Albania considers that achievement of the sustainable development goals and implementation of the 2030 Agenda is a shared responsibility.
We are in a full track with the European Union’s policies and the international documents and the decision to develop the energy sector in full harmony and friendly with the environment.
The Albanian government has started to reform its power sector since 2014 through actions undertaken to complete the legal and regulatory framework in compliance with the European Union’s third pacage on energy and in full compliance with the EU directives on energy. We are focused on diversification of the power generation always based on the renewable, like water, sun and wind. This will definitely reduce the country’s high dependency on the weather conditions as currently almost all the production is based on hydro sources. The government is developing the new national energy and climate plan according to the new policy guidelines and the energy community agenda on decarbonisation in the energy sector. This plan projects power generation based on the domestic installed capacities for the period 2021-2030. So Albania is expected to become a net electricity exporter within this decade. However, talking about the challenges of our times in this city, I can’t avoid speaking about the role model of the United Arab Emirates regarding peace, multilateral cooperation and human solidarity. The signature of the Abraham Accords between the United Arab Emirates and Israel was a shockingly positive development of discontinuity with ages of a stalemate of one of the longest and deepest conflicts in our world, undertaking a huge step towards reaching out to the historical enemy. UAE lead by example towards a completely new direction of addressing the future, not by forgetting the past, but by looking forward to the future. And by doing so, making the future the basis of dealing with the past and not let the past anymore dictate the future. This major development in the history of peace-making is a true source of inspiration for the world, as well as for us in the Balkan region, where so for a long time bloody wars and conflicts have prevented people of different nations from seeing themselves as humans and deal with each other humanely.
On the other hand, we in Albania have experienced first-hand the UAE human solidarity in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in November 2019, when 15,000 families lost their homes in less than a minute. His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed was among the first among a vast number of international leaders, who expressed their solidarity, not just through words, but also through their deeds and thanks to Him and the government of UAE a brand new residential neighbourhood is being built for the families that lost everything in that tragedy.
I am very proud to conclude my speech by telling you that Albania stood strong in protection of the Afghan people at risk following the course of events in Afghanistan and the spirit of solidarity I talked about a little while ago, Albanian government took right away the decision to host up to 4000 Afghan citizens in Albania. It is a very big number compared to much bigger and richer countries, whose contribution didn’t reach the bar of the challenge. During all these days, many people have asked me “why?” And my answer is very simple: first of all, by doing so we honour our history and our tradition. One of the most beautiful pages of our history has been the salvation of Jews during World War II, when Albania was the only country in Europe with more Jews after the war than before it, because not a single Jew was handed over to the Nazis.
Secondly, we may not be rich, but our memory can’t be short. We were the Afghans just 30 years ago, when leaving our own hell, escaping our own Taleban, who were not Islamic fundamentalists, but they were fundamentalists of Stalin, back then we had to cross the sea and appear on the shores of Italy and Europe like aliens of which nobody knew how we looked like. And if we were not to be provided sheltered and given help and hope 30 years ago, we wouldn’t be here today, a country with the EU candidate status, aspiring to become one of the Union members.
And thirdly, and probably most importantly, we did it because we owe it to our children. They shouldn’t be raised in an environment, where they are told to shut the door, to live in fear, and to turn the back to those in need. They should learn by deeds, not by words, that in this life there is a time to ask and there is a time to give. Thank you very much!
Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, ministre d’État, a reçu Patrick Achi, Premier ministre de Côte d’Ivoire, pour discuter des moyens de renforcer les relations bilatérales et d’une multitude de questions d’intérêt mutuel. Le Premier ministre ivoirien est à Abou Dhabi pour participer à la World Policy Conference. Sheikh Shakhbout a déclaré que les relations entre les Émirats arabes unis (ÉAU) et la Côte d’Ivoire progressaient régulièrement, notant un énorme potentiel et des opportunités pour les faire avancer dans le meilleur intérêt des deux pays.
Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, ministre d’État, a reçu Patrick Achi, Premier ministre de Côte d’Ivoire, pour discuter des moyens de renforcer les relations bilatérales et d’une multitude de questions d’intérêt mutuel.
Le Premier ministre ivoirien est à Abou Dhabi pour participer à la World Policy Conference.
Sheikh Shakhbout a déclaré que les relations entre les Émirats arabes unis (ÉAU) et la Côte d’Ivoire progressaient régulièrement, notant un énorme potentiel et des opportunités pour les faire avancer dans le meilleur intérêt des deux pays.
Pour sa part, Patrick Achi a exprimé sa fierté de la relation forte qui lie son pays aux Émirats Arabes Unis, soulignant qu’il existe de nombreuses opportunités de faire avancer les relations bilatérales.
A l’ouverture de la 14ème édition de la World Policy Conference, le 1er octobre 2021 à Abu Dhabi (Émirats Arabes Unis), le Premier Ministre ivoirien, Patrick Achi, a plaidé pour un financement important des économies africaines.
« Les pays du continent sont dans une situation post-Covid encore plus exigeante avec la baisse tendancielle de la croissance. Il faut permettre aux pays africains d’accéder à des ressources de grande ampleur et à faible coût », a déclaré Patrick Achi.
Selon le Chef du gouvernement, ces ressources permettront d’investir dans les secteurs sociaux et dans les infrastructures, afin de créer un écosystème favorable à l’accélération du développement de l’Afrique.
Abidjan, le 02 octobre 2021 – A l’ouverture de la 14ème édition de la World Policy Conference, le 1er octobre 2021 à Abu Dhabi (Émirats Arabes Unis), le Premier Ministre ivoirien, Patrick Achi, a plaidé pour un financement important des économies africaines.
« Les pays du continent sont dans une situation post-Covid encore plus exigeante avec la baisse tendancielle de la croissance. Il faut permettre aux pays africains d’accéder à des ressources de grande ampleur et à faible coût », a déclaré Patrick Achi.
Selon le Chef du gouvernement, ces ressources permettront d’investir dans les secteurs sociaux et dans les infrastructures, afin de créer un écosystème favorable à l’accélération du développement de l’Afrique.
