Shared views between Cairo and Jakarta

Shared views between Cairo and Jakarta

Ezzat Saad, Ambassador of Egypt, Jakarta

Among a number of countries in Africa and Europe, President
Megawati Soekarnoputri paid a visit to Egypt from Sept. 12
through Sept. 14, 2002, her first, and the fourth visit of an
Indonesian president in about four years. Megawati's father, the
late president Soekarno, visited Egypt several times at the time
of late president Gamal Abdel Nasser. The event reflected the
very special relationship between the two countries that led to
the launching of the Nonaligned Movement, the principles of which
were laid down in Bandung in 1955.

Overall, the visit was successful, though it would be a big
mistake to measure the long-term strategic relations between
states by narrow economic or commercial gains.

The visit affirms the historical relations between Egypt and
Indonesia and their key roles, regionally and internationally,
given the strategic geopolitical position of both countries. The
two countries share the same view concerning important
international issues, such as disarmament, matters related to
international peace and security, reform of the UN system,
international trade, sustainable development, the impact of
globalization on the developing countries, etc.

The visit provided an excellent opportunity for Megawati and
Mubarak to exchange views on matters of direct impact on their
peoples and the Muslim world; most importantly, the deteriorating
situation in the Palestinian occupied territories and the
obsession of certain countries to attack Iraq without mandate
from the UN. The outcome of the visit confirmed the identical
position of both sides concerning such important issues as
reflected in the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the
visit.

During the visit, after extensive discussions between the
ministers of industry, foreign trade, transportation and
agriculture of both countries, they agreed to assign an expert
group to finalize the details of cooperation in various fields,
including a number of joint ventures. An Indonesian delegation
will visit Cairo before the end of this month.

The Indonesian side also held a fruitful meeting with the
Egyptian business community, where both sides discussed ways and
means to expand and balance the trade exchange (US$220 million,
according to 2001 figures); this included the possibility for the
Indonesian side, through its trade relations with Egypt, to
profit from the advantages available by the common market of East
and Southern Africa (known as COMESA), which comprises 21
countries with more than 300 million consumers.

The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Trade was invited to
Jakarta in November this year to finalize with his Indonesian
counterpart what had been discussed in Cairo.

Further, the private sector in both countries signed a
contract to establish a palm oil refinery in Egypt at a cost of
$50 million, 75 percent of whose production will be exported and
the rest will be for local consumption.

President Megawati discussed with grand Sheikh of Al Azhar Dr.
Mohamed Sayed Tantawi the need to counter the unfair and
unfounded campaign against Islam in connection with the fight
against terrorism, emphasizing the need to clarify the true
principles and values of Islam as a religion of tolerance and
moderation. The grand Sheikh was also invited to Indonesia.

In the joint statement issued at the end of the visit the two
sides asserted: "... the importance of the role which should be
played by the Islamic Nations in promoting coexistence,
solidarity and cooperation between all nations. Islam is based on
humanitarian tenets calling for tolerance, diversity, equality
and the rejection of all forms of fanaticism, extremism and
hatred. The universality of the mission of Islam and the
brotherhood of mankind are certain to contribute to the
establishment of a better future for all peoples, regardless of
creed, color or ethnicity."

President Megawati also met more than 2,700 Indonesians
studying in Egypt, at a dinner reception at the Indonesian
residence that lasted more than three hours.

The most important agreements earlier signed and ratified by
the two countries are an agreement on the avoidance of double
taxation, and an agreement on the mutual promotion and protection
of investments. During the visit both sides also agreed on a
final draft of an agreement on educational, cultural and
religious cooperation, and another on cooperation in information
(exchange of TV and radio programs, visits, training, press
cooperation and exhibitions).

Also agreed on was a memorandum of understanding concerning
technical cooperation on pharmaceutical and traditional medicine.

The above-mentioned instruments will be signed on the eve of
the summit of the group of eight Islamic developing nations,
which will be hosted by the Republic of Indonesia during the
first quarter of 2003.