21 March 2023 06:29 AM

Egypt and UAE

Monday، 30 October 2017 12:00 AM

Egyptian-UAE relations date back to 1971, when a federation was created between the seven Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah; now the United Arab Emirates.

Recent years have witnessed close coordination between the two countries on key issues such as the Palestinian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Libyan, Yemeni and Syrian issues. There is a great convergence of views and political stances on regional issues specially in combating terrorism and extremism. 

The UAE support to Egypt since the June 30 Revolution increased the Egyptian State's capability to confront internal and external challenges and to combat terrorism.

The UAE also supported the Egyptian economy after the decision to float the pound as Dubai Port World, the largest port company in the world, started on February 1, 2016 to deal with dollar on land services provided to owners and recipients of goods instead of dealing with the Egyptian pound. The United Arab Emirates has deposited a $ 1 billion in the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) for a period of six years to support the Egyptian exchange market.


Political Relations

The existing Egyptian-Emirates relations set a model example for Arab relations .The distinguished relations binding the two governments and peoples, are positively reflected on various aspects of bilateral relations. The two countries work to achieve a number of common goals, most prominently the Arab solidarity and cooperation. The two countries also renounce violence and call for resolving differences by peaceful means.

On July 22, 2008, Egypt and the UAE signed a MOU by virtue of which holders of diplomatic and special mission passports from both countries would be exempted from entry visas.

The political relations between Egypt and the UAE witnessed a strong boost after 30 June, when Abu Dhabi supported Adly Mansour's assumption of the presidency and affirmed its full and continuous support to the Egyptian people in the implementation of the road map, announced by the Armed Forces with the participation of political and religious forces.

On the foreign policy level, recent years have witnessed close coordination between the two countries on key issues such as the Palestinian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Libyan, Yemeni and Syrian issues. There is a great convergence of views and political stances on regional issues .Both sides confirm:

- The importance of the political settlement of these crises to stop the bloodshed of innocent citizens, to preserve the capabilities of the peoples, to safeguard the territorial integrity of the Arab states and to preserve the unity of the Arab countries.

- The need to intensify joint Arab action and international efforts to reach political settlements to all regional crises, especially efforts to combat terrorism, to stop funding terrorist groups.

Mutual Visits

Most Notable visits to the UAE:

On 25/9/2017, President Sisi visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a two-day official visit. During his visit, the President discussed with UAE leaders promoting deeply-rooted ties between the two countries as well as consultations and coordination on a host of regional and international issues of mutual interest. The president's visit to Abu Dhabi comes within the framework of distinguished ties between the two countries at all levels.

On 12/9/2017, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Qarqash visited Egypt to participate in the ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level.

On 22/7/ 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Egypt to participate in the inauguration of the Mohammed Najib Military Base in Al Hammam City, west of Alexandria, the largest military base in the Middle East and Africa.

On 19/6/2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Egypt and was received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The two sides discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations in all fields, a number of regional and international issues of common interest, and counter-terrorism efforts.

On 3/5/2017, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited the UAE, received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two sides discussed the latest developments in the regional situation in the light of the crises in Syria, Yemen and Libya, the challenges facing the Arab nation.

On 1/2/2017, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited the UAE, which he was received by Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, delivering an oral message from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On 2/12/2016, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi visited the UAE to participate in the State celebrations of the 45th National Day and met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The talks touched on ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.

On 10/11/2016, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Egypt, received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The two sides discussed means of enhancing bilateral relations in various fields. The meeting also discussed regional developments in the light of the current crises in the region.

On 25/5/2016, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Egypt and was received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Sheikh Mohammed affirmed his country's support for Egypt and its people's right to development, stability and growth, pointing out that Egypt is a pillar of stability in the Middle East.

On 21/4/2016, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Egypt and was received by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries at various political, economic and developmental levels, and ways of developing them.

On 9/2/2016, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail visited the UAE to participate in the fourth session of the World Summit of Governments.

On 16/11/2015, a delegation from the UAE National Defense College, which included representatives from all sectors prepared to assume the administrations and leadership of the UAE, visited Egypt and was received by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail.

On 7/11/2015, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mahmoud Hegazi visited the UAE to attend the 14th International Air Aviation Conference 2015 in Dubai. Hegazi held several important discussions with the UAE officials on the developments in the region and issues of common interest in light of the partnership relations and military cooperation between the armed forces of both countries in many areas.

On 27/10/2015, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi visited the United Arab Emirates, received by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting touched on the importance of following up the joint efforts to combat terrorism and the security situations in a number of Arab countries. The two sides discussed a number of regional issues of common concern, particularly with regard to the crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen.

On 6/8/2015, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and UAE State Minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber arrived in Egypt to attend the inauguration of the New Suez Canal. 

On 24/7/2015, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a meeting with his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to discuss promoting bilateral ties. The meeting tackled ways to enhance bilateral ties in all fields. The meeting also took up the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria, along with efforts to fight terrorism and the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

On 2/5/2015, Minister of Defense Colonel General Sedki Sobhi met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nuhayyan. The meeting took up the latest Arab and regional developments.

On 13/3/2015, President Sisi received at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport UAE Vice President and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum who arrived to attend Egypt Economic Development Conference.

On 12/2/2015, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab held a meeting with Vice President, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. During their meeting, Mahlab expressed his happiness and optimism for participating in the three-day 3rd Government Summit, which is currently held in Dubai with the attendance of 4,000 government officials.

On 17/1/2015, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi held two separate meetings with delegations of Egyptian and UAE businessmen at his residence. The meetings come as part of Egypt's efforts to lure foreign investments. The hour-long meeting was attended by UAE Minister of State and head of UAE projects coordination office in Cairo Sultan Al-Gaber, Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Naglaa el Ahwani and members of the UAE Federation of Chambers of Commerce.

On 12/1/2015, Interior Minister Mohamad Ibrahim has met his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Seif bin Zayed al-Nahyan and his accompanying delegation. The two sides discussed security issues of mutual concern topped by counter terrorism efforts and information exchange on terrorists' trans-border movements.

On 14/11/2014, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held consultations with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum held in the UAE. The two ministers exchanged views on regional issues with a focus on Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen, according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

On 30/10/2014, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with UAE Minister of State Sultan Ahmed Al-Gaber and discussed means of boosting joint cooperation. They also discussed ways of enhancing the bilateral ties in various fields, especially the economic one and reviewed preparations for the conference of shoring up the Egyptian economy.

On 17/9/2014, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan at the presidency headquarters in Heliopolis. The meeting tackled the importance of unifying the international and Arab efforts to encounter terrorism and correct the past lapses that paved the way for brutal terror. They also discussed the roles of media and religious scholars in raising the awareness of the people.

On 7/6/2014, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces arrived in Cairo to attend the inauguration ceremony of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi at Al Ittihadiya presidential palace.

On 20/5/2014, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab accompanied by the ministers of industry, trade and investment and information visited UAE to attend the 13th session of Arab Media Forum.

On 10/5/2014, Egypt's Pope Tawadros II, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, visited the United Arab Emirates' Mar Mina Church as part of his five-day visit to the Gulf state. The visit by the Pope, which came upon invitation from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, the emir of Abu Dhabi and UAE president, is also a gesture of recognition for the Gulf state's support for Egypt in its current political transition.

On 4/5/2014, Former Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi participated in a ministerial UN meeting on climate change in Abu Dhabi. Fahmy said in the meeting that the world is faced with many challenges; mainly that the development and consumption pattern followed by the whole world is unsustainable on the backdrop of its serious environmental harms. Fahmy called on the international community to support the developing countries including Egypt to overcome successive crises and providing energy, water and investments required to achieve an economic growth. The two-day event takes up best solutions to climate change and sets arrangements for the climate change summit that will take place in New York.

On 10/3/2014, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahleb received UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Qarqash. During the meeting, the UAE minister said he is keen on visiting Egypt for several times and he is optimistic about Egypt's future despite the challenges facing it. Egypt is the backbone of the Arab world, he said, adding that it is clear that there is a tangible change in the stances of foreign countries toward Egypt. Most of the world countries are keen on supporting Egypt to continue the roadmap, the UAE minister added. Mehleb, for his part, said that the Egyptians are determined to face extremism and restore stability. He added that the government will exert tireless efforts to render the presidential elections successful.  Mehleb also appreciated the repeated visits of the UAE officials to Egypt and conveyed his greetings to the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

On 11/3/2014, Minister of Defense and Military Production Field Marshal Abdelfattah Al-Sisi arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit to the UAE. He met with senior UAE officials. Sisi attended the final stage of joint Egyptian-Emirati military drills in which naval, air and special forces are taking part.

On 9-10 March, 2014, Egypt's Mufti Shawqi Allam participated in the world forum entitled "Promoting peace in Muslim communities" in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. The forum is held under the auspices of UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan with the participation of a number of Muslim scholars and thinkers from all over the world. Allam said the forum stressed  the need to spread peace culture especially after the serious events, divisions and extremist ideas that have led to violence in some communities.

On 6/3/2014, Egypt's air, naval and special Forces begun joint training exercises, dubbed Zayed 1, with the UAE. The Egyptian troops traveled to the Gulf country to take part in the joint training exercises, which are held for the first time. Over the past days, the two sides embarked on practical exercises including tactical naval and air maneuvers, which involved the use of fighter jets, multi-purpose aircraft and destroyers. Head of the Egyptian force taking part in the training Major General Mohamed Ismail el-Badawi extended thanks to the UAE for the warm reception. The General Command of the Armed Forces is keen on promoting military relations and joint cooperation with the UAE via implementing joint training exercises to hone the skills of officers of the two countries, raise combat efficiency, he added.

On 11/5/2008, Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation paid a visit to the UAE, during which they were granted an audience with the UAE Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Former President Mubarak's visit to Abu Dhabi on 21 and December 22, 2009, where he met with His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

• Former Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit visited Abu Dhabi on December 5, 2009 for the second round of political consultations with the Foreign Minister of the UAE, and met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed National Security Advisor.

Visit of Trade Minister on 14/09/2009, he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Visit of Governor of the Central Bank at the end of November 2009, to participate in the meetings of the 33 regular session of the Board of Governors of the Arab central banks.

Visit of the delegation of the General Authority for Investment, chaired by Vice Chairman of the Commission, during the period 7 to 12 November 2009, meeting with several officials from the companies and major banks in the UAE.

Visit of the Delegation of the Organization of COMESA in the UAE during the period from 15 to 18 December 2009, which included 7 ministers concerned with trade and investment from member states of COMESA, in addition to a large number of heads of investment in the COMESA countries, and a delegation of a number of important meetings and the conclusion of memoranda of understanding with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the UAE, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sharjah.

The visit of the Minister of Electricity and Energy to Abu Dhabi during 16-20 January, to participate in the third preparatory meeting of the International Agency for Renewable Energy IRENA.

The visit of the Minister of Investment to Abu Dhabi at the head of high-level delegation that included the President of the General Authority for Urban Planning, from 20 to 22 January 2010, meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Union National Bank.

Visit of President of the Board of Directors of National Bank of Egypt in the 06/02/2010, meeting with Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Visit of the delegation of representatives of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council and the Abu Dhabi Investment Company to Cairo during the period 17 to 19 November 2009, meeting with representatives of the General Authority for Investment and the Egyptian authorities on the files of the partnership between the public and private sectors, health care, education, and others.

Visit of Director General of the Economic Department of the Emirate of Sharjah to Cairo 4/11/2009, and his meeting with Minister of Investment, and the agreement during the meeting to activate the intra-investment activities, as well as agreement on a proposal for a memorandum of understanding between the two sides.

Visit of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO Abu Dhabi Future Energy "MASDAR" to Cairo on 18 February, the signing of the agreement between the company and the New and Renewable Energy authority of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy of Egypt, whereby a study to establish the first wind farm with a capacity of 200 MW in the Gulf of Suez, which lays the foundation and new prospects for cooperation in the field of renewable energy between the two countries.

The visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to Egypt on February 25, 2009, was the first official visit of Sheikh Mohammed to Egypt since he assumed office as Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai in January 2006.

The visit of Sheikh /Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, during the period from 10 to February 12, 2009, during which he attended the ceremony held by the American University in Cairo granting him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to science , culture and art.

The visit of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to Egypt during the 14 and January 15, 2009, where he met with the President and the Prime Minister.

The visit of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister, to Egypt during the period from 28 to June 30, 2009 heading the UAE delegation which participated in the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the International Renewable Energy «IRENA», which was held in Sharm El-Sheikh on 29 and June 30, 2009.

Education Minister Mahmoud Abunnasr reviewed during his meeting on May 8, 2014 with his UAE counterpart Hameed el-Qatami means of enhancing joint cooperation in the field of education. The UAE will set up a training centre in Cairo where Egyptian teachers will be trained by foreign experts. Abunnasr underlined that the brotherly Egyptian-UAE relations are time-honoured.

Economic Relations

After June 30 Revolution, economic relations between Egypt and the UAE witnessed a significant development. United Arab Emirates has been at the head of the Arab states that supported the Egyptian revolution and offered a great support in order to revive the Egyptian economy. The UAE provided $ 3 billion-financial aid in the framework of a Gulf aid package to Egypt amounted to twelve billion dollars.

In October 2013, Egypt and the UAE have signed an agreement for supporting the Egyptian development program. Under the agreement, the UAE would extend a sum of $ 4.9 billion for carrying out projects for upgrading the services sector, enhancing the living standards and human resources in Egypt.

The UAE also supported the Egyptian economy after the decision of floating the pound as Dubai Port World, the largest port company in the world, started on February 1, 2016 to deal with dollar on land services provided to owners and recipients of goods instead of dealing with the Egyptian pound.

The United Arab Emirates has deposited a $ 1 billion in the  Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) for a period of six years to support the Egyptian exchange market.

On 21/4/2016, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and UAE Deputy Supreme Commander provided $ 4 billion to support Egypt, two billions of which were directed to investment in a number of development areas in Egypt and two billions were deposited in the CBE to support the Egyptian cash reserve.

The UAE ranks first among international and Arab countries in terms of foreign direct investment in Egypt, reaching 6.2 billion dollars compared to 6 billion dollars in 2016.

According to the recent data from the CBE, the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and the UAE during the first nine months of the FY 2016/2017 increased by 300 million dollars to reach 4.6 billion dollars. The volume of Egyptian exports to the UAE increased by 14% during the period from June 2016 to March 2017 to reach about 2.3 billion dollars compared to about 1.8 billion dollars during the same period of last year.

According to the CBE, Egyptian imports from the UAE decreased to reach $ 2.2 billion in the first nine months of FY 2016/2017compared to $ 2.7 billion during the same period of FY 2015/2016.

Egypt's main exports: smart cards, copper products, electrical connectors and cables, furniture, clothing, marble.

Contractual Framework

- Agreement on trade exchange and economic and technical cooperation 19/07/1988

- Memorandum of Understanding in the fields of trade, customs and exhibition management and communications and information technology 23/4/2000

- Agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevent tax evasion 12/04/1994

- Agreement on the Encouragement and Protection of Investments 05/11/1997

- Cooperation Agreement between the General Union of Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abu Dhabi 03/15/1988

- Agreement to establish a joint businessmen council between the General Union of Chambers of Commerce And the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Abu Dhabi 12/07/1993

- Agreement for joint cooperation between the UAE Consumer Cooperative Union and the General Union of Cooperatives in Egypt

- Agreement on the scientific and technical cooperation in the fields of agriculture 2/10/1973

- Agreement on the Joint Arab Investment 15/10/1975

- Trade Agreement, trade and economic and technical cooperation and investment promotion 07/19/1988

- Agreement on regulating the use of Egyptian manpower in the UAE 15/03/1988

- Agreement on cultural, educational and scientific cooperation 09/22/1988

- Agreement on the Establishment of a high joint committee 22/09/1988

- Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of electricity and energy 10/03/1990

- Agreement to avoid double taxation 12/04/1994

- Cooperation Protocol between the Ministries of Awqaf in the two countries 13/04/1992

- Agreement on the Encouragement and Protection of Investments 05/11/1997

- Agreement on the legal and judicial cooperation 05/02/2000

- Airline Agreement between their respective territories 01/31/2002

- Memorandum of Understanding for the exemption of visas for diplomatic passports

- Memorandum of understanding on political consultations 21/07/2008

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Centre for Information and Decision Support and the Department of Planning and Economy in Abu Dhabi 08/02/2009

- Memorandum of Understanding between the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and the General Authority for Investment 02/18/2009

- Cooperation Agreement between the Islamic Affairs and Awqaf 26/03/2009

The most prominent economic agreements signed between the two countries include the following:

On 15/3/2015, Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker and Hussein al-Nowais of al-Nowais Investments attended the signing of an agreement to produce energy from a coal-operated power plant between Egypt Electricity Holding Company and al-Nowais Investment. The plant is operated by non-polluting coal with a production capacity of 2,640 megawatt in Oyoun Moussa area in conformity with global environment standards. The project, whose investment costs amount to around 4.5 billion dollars, will contribute to adding new capacity to the electricity sector and diversify resources of energy in the near future.

On 18/4/2014, Egypt and the UAE signed a 250 million pound cooperation protocol to train 100,000 youth of both genders on the latest technological and technical programs to meet the Egyptian market's needs of workforce.

On 26/10/2013, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement for supporting the Egyptian development program. Under the agreement, the UAE would extend a sum of $ 4.9 billion for carrying out projects for upgrading the services sector, enhancing the living standards and human resources in Egypt.

UAE's Arab Health exhibition 

The Arab Health 2020 in Dubai wrapped up on Thursday 30/1/2020 with the participation of 26 Egyptian companies.

In a statement on Thursday, Chairman of the Export Council Of Medical Industries (ECMI) Abdel Aziz el Sherif said the four-day exhibition is the second largest healthcare exhibition in the world.

About 4,250 companies participated in the event alongside 100,000 participants and visitors from more than 150 world countries.

Meanwhile, Head of the Egyptian pavilion Ahmed Nabil said the exhibition focused in this year's edition on the use of the internet of things in the medical score.

Healthcare and trade professionals took part in the event, he noted.

The theme for Arab Health 2020 is Connectivity for better healthcare delivery, promoting the show's commitment to bringing together stakeholders from the full spectrum of the healthcare industry to support improvement in the sector.

Egyptian Community

There are an estimated 250,000 Egyptians living in the UAE, according to 2012 statistics.

The Egyptian community in the UAE supported the legitimate demands of the Egyptian people on June 30. Ambassador Ehab Hamouda, Egypt's ambassador to the UAE, said that the Egyptian community in the UAE has a desire to complete the road map, promote the country and protect national security.

They participated in the presidential election that took place between 15 and 18 May 2014. There were only two candidates, Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Hamdeen Sabahi. 52,256 voted in the elections; Sisi got 49.194 votes, while, Sabahi got 2.381 of the votes. 

Cultural Relations

The Cultural relations between the two countries are of great interest. A number of Egyptian cultural events are organized in the UAE annually (e.g. tours by artistic troupes, book fairs and other activities). Visits are also exchanged between high level officials in the field of culture.

Agreements of cooperation have been signed between the University of the United Arab Emirates and the Egyptian government universities and al-Azhar University. A protocol of cooperation has also been concluded between the Egyptian Desert Research Centre and the International Centre for Bio-saline Agriculture in the UAE.

The UAE supported Egypt culturally through supporting Ambassador Moushira Khattab, Egypt’s candidate to UNESCO Director General.

On September 6, 2017, Minister of Education and Technical Education Tariq Shawki participated in the conference of "Education and Terrorism", which was held in the United Arab Emirates and attended by four ministers of education from the Arab countries (Egypt, Bahrain, UAE and Saudi Arabia).

Mufti Shawki Allam attended the third meeting of the Board of Trustees of the "Peace Promotion Forum" held in the United Arab Emirates on December 17- 19, 2016.

Egypt’s Union of Writers signed an agreement for cooperation and cultural exchange with the Emirates Union on September 12, 2016 to support cultural, intellectual and creative exchange.

In May 2015, President Sisi granted the Grand Cordon to Sharjah Ruler Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi in recognition of his stances in supporting the culture sector in Egypt.

Media Relations

The media in both countries have played a fundamental role in consolidating and strengthening relations and supporting their development process.

The Egyptian media has exerted great efforts in establishing the UAE media and providing UAE with media expertise. Egypt is one of the first countries in the Middle East to have large media institutions. Egypt, also, supported the UAE in all its stances.

The Emirati media had a similar attitude towards Egypt, adopting the Egyptian view, especially in support of the June 30 revolution, combating terrorism and highlighting the urgent need of the Arab nation for Egypt’s security, stability and progress.

In 1988, Egypt and the UAE concluded a media protocol with the purpose of deepening and developing media cooperation, exchanging radio and television programs, encouraging the exchange of visits between media personnel and developing press institutions.

Military cooperation

The Egyptian leadership always asserts that Egypt’s national security is part and parcel of the security of the Gulf region in general and the UAE in particular. This was crystal clear in the statements made by top military commanders in Egypt when they discussed means of boosting bilateral relations in the field of military cooperation. This was highlighted during mutual visits of the two countries’ delegations in the various domains.

On 14/3/2017, Egypt's Armed Forces and their UAE counterparts continued the activities of "Zayed 2" joint military exercise that comes in light of the annual joint exercises between the two countries. The military exercise that continued until the end of March, comes within the framework of the distinctive relations binding Cairo and UAE. Ground forces, marine units and air forces from the two sides participated in the military drills. The exercises showed that armed forces in both countries have personal and technical capabilities that enable them to confront any dangers that could pose a threat to security and stability in Egypt and the UAE.

March 2014 witnessed the end of the military training between Egypt and UAE to reinforce the historical and strategic relations between the two countries. The joint military training included three phases starting with the arrival of the Egyptian forces in the UAE, followed by a specialized training and practical exercises using live ammunition, Mirage 2000 jets, fighter jets and warships. As well, units of artillery and attack helicopters were deployed beside marines, Special Forces and paratroopers. The training was attended by the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the then Minister of Defense of Egypt Field Marshal Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Emir Salman bin Sultan bin Abdel Aziz.

The military attachés of the two countries are following up the military affairs and cooperation.  



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