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.