President Hosni Mubarak is keen to show Egypt's pioneering role and high position through his daily programs, meetings and foreign trips. He spares no effort aiming at strengthening the role of Egypt at all levels.

Mubarak's efforts resulted in the birth of the Union for the Mediterranean in cooperation with France in order to include all Europeans as they are keen on the stability in the Mediterranean Basin. President Mubarak visited Italy for the purpose of deepening this concept.

However, the visit made by President Mubarak to South Africa and Uganda gave a clear indication for Mubarak's methodology in dealing with Egypt's foreign policy and international relations. He is keen to achieve a balance in Egypt's relations taking into account its vital interests through making a distinguished position for Egypt in a changing world.

This balance aims at realizing and guaranteeing Egypt's higher interests and national security. This historic visit represents an important political event as it writes a new chapter and achieves an unprecedented momentum in Egypt's relations with South Africa. Both countries are playing a key role in the African continent.

Egypt enjoys a very distinguished position and influential role at the Arab, African and international level thanks to its economic and technological potentials. On the other hand, the great political, economic and military power of South Africa led Egypt to pay a special attention to it. Mubarak's visit will open vast horizons and new windows before the peoples of Egypt, South Africa and Uganda and they must work together for the sake of the whole continent.

By: Osama Saraya