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Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
Author : V. Belyakov
Leading Research Assistant, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Mil-
itary University of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Russia and Egypt have been rapidly boosting their rela-
tions after the Egyptian revolution of June 30, 2013 put
an end to the rule of Islamists who had been brought
to power by a combination of circumstances.
The United States and Western Europe saw the over-
throw of President Mohamed Morsi as a commonplace
coup and suspended the provision of aid to Egypt, but
Russia reacted in a different way.
Military-technological cooperation remains a priority in
Russian-Egyptian relations. But that is a sensitive subject, and so I won't cite any media reports,
either Russian or Egyptian, about what specifically is supposed to be sold to Egypt and at what
price. Let me cite official information instead. The two countries signed a protocol on military
cooperation during the first meeting of the joint commission on military-technological cooper-
ation in Moscow early in March 2015, which was chaired by the Russian and Egyptian defense
ministers, Sergey Shoygu and Sedki Sobhi.2
Plans for Russian arms exports to Egypt were not the only issue raised at the commission meet-
ing. A plan was announced during it for the two countries to hold a joint naval exercise in the
Mediterranean and a joint exercise for anti-terrorist rapid deployment forces.
During his visit to Sochi, Sisi invited Putin to visit Egypt. Such a visit took place in February.
The Russian president received a very warm welcome in Cairo. There were pictures of him all
over the city.
Only three agreements were signed during Putin's visit - two investment accords and a deal on
the Egyptian nuclear power plant project.
Today, there are quite many large and economically advanced countries, and so Egypt has no
need to tie down its economy to relations with just one foreign nation, whether it is the United
States or Russia. Cairo pursues, and I'm sure will continue to pursue, a diversified foreign policy,
collaborating with countries that have something to offer to Egypt.
From that point of view, Russian-Egyptian relations show no tendency to return to the Nasser
era. Yet there is one more aspect to them - their atmosphere. Quite often, economic relations
are purely pragmatic deals - one partner sells and the other buys. But it can be different as well,
with one well-intentioned partner, aware of the needs and resources of the other side, making
concessions to it. I believe that this is what current Russian-Egyptian cooperation is like.
Russia and Egypt: Back to the Future?