The Emir of Qatar has just made a two-day official visit to Egypt, the first in seven years. A trip that marks the formal reconciliation between Cairo and Doha, which had come to the end of diplomatic relations in 2017.
With our correspondent in Cairo, Alexandre Buccianti
In an Arab world where symbolism is of great importance, the warm handshake at Cairo airport between President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Prince Tamim ben Hamad Al-Thani weighs as much as the agreements reached during the visit.
The two men agreed on all international issues – such as the consequences of the war in Ukraine – as well as regional ones, such as the Palestinian question. Egypt holds the key to Qatar’s aid for the reconstruction of Gaza.
Strengthened links
But the most important question concerns the impetus given to bilateral relations. Agreements for Qatar’s investment of 4.5 billion dollars have been reached with the promise to increase them soon.
Another important issue for Cairo: Doha will open its door to more Egyptian workers in the emirate. Good news for an Egypt whose economy is in crisis and where unemployment gallops.
Three years of break
Broken for three years, diplomatic relations between Cairo and the Gulf gas state only resumed in January 2021, as part of a sealed reconciliation between Qatar and four Arab countries.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain ended their relations with Qatar in June 2017, accused in particular of being too close to Iran and of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, accusations denied by Doha.