* Egyptian diplomats and experts: Amir's visit will lay the foundations of a new strategy in facing the current challenges facing the Arab world
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's official visit to Egypt has received wide interest from various Egyptian circles, which stressed the importance of the visit that came at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, considering it as a strong starting point for bilateral relations and the joint Arab action process, especially in light of the current regional and international challenges.Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the former Egyptian foreign minister Mohamed al-Orabi said that the Amir's visit is not just a visit between two countries or a meeting between two leaders, but rather it will lay the foundations of a new strategy in facing the current challenges, adding that it will have a positive impact on joint Arab action.
He explained that Qatar has a great international prestige that it has gained as a result of a realistic policy based on the idea of trying to solve problems by peaceful means, which was evident in the Afghan crisis. He pointed out that the Amir's visit comes at a pivotal stage that will have a positive impact on the bilateral relations, adding that it demonstrates a new stage in which relations are moving to the point of a strategic alignment.
He said that there are complex international circumstances that require Arab countries to unite and stand united, which is reflected in the two brotherly countries' interest to enhance co-operation in this regard. Al-Orabi pointed out that all files need deep consultation to adopt a unified strategy based on a common vision and a sense that danger is imposing on everyone, which calls for Arab solidarity and a unified Arab description that can face the dangers that come from all directions in the coming period.
He noted that the visit is also of paramount importance, as it comes before the summit of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) and the United States hosted by Saudi Arabia, therefore, the talks of the two leaders aim to crystallise common visions on the issues that will be raised at the summit.
Chairman of the Foreign, Arab and African Affairs Committee of the Egyptian Senate Effat el-Sadat underlined that the big official reception of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to His Highness the Amir reflects Egypt's love and appreciation for him, the government and people of Qatar.
He said that the visit comes within the framework of mutual appreciation between the two countries, whether at the governmental or popular levels, noting that it also came in the context of balanced political consensus and continued dialogue with the brothers in Qatar throughout the past periods to restore relations to normal.
El-Sadat added that the Amir is a lively, dynamic, and youthful personality, who has a wise look for the future of his country and Egypt shares this promising future with him. He stressed that Qatar has a great status in Egypt. Concerning economic co-operation relations, el-Sadat said that Egypt is a promising market for great Qatari investment opportunities and in light of the economic conditions that the countries of the world are going through, Qatar gives its priorities to investing in Egypt, which reflects the appreciation of the brothers in Qatar for Egypt, wishing Qatar further development and progress.
On the Arab level, el-Sadat stressed that the Arabs have a common destiny and that Egyptian-Qatari relations will have a positive impact on the Arab region in general, and on the Gulf region in particular, due to the political and geographical position of both countries. In the same context, the member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, and former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Ahmed Hassan Rakha said that the Amir's visit aims to restore Arab unity, which is crucial, especially in light of the challenges facing the Arab world, whether in the Gulf region or the Mediterranean.
He elaborated that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani certainly proves that what unites the two brotherly countries is much greater than what divides them, stressing in this regard the importance of investing in the many points of agreement to solve the problems and issues of concern to the Arab nation; for the sake of their countries and peoples, on the basis of the firm conviction that the one Arab family there to stay.
Rakha noted that His Highness the Amir's visit also comes in light of the preparations for the upcoming summit called for by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between US President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. On economic co-operation, Rakha remarked the visit of HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to Egypt in March, pointing out that this visit witnessed an agreement on a sizable investment in various fields, which is a positive indication for further fruitful co-operation between the two brotherly countries.
Speaking to QNA, the Advisor to the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies Gamal Abdel Gawad confirmed that the visit of His Highness the Amir is evidence that the relations between the two countries are entering a new phase based on co-operation in many fields, which is certainly founded on a great political and strategic understanding. He added that the situation in the Middle East and the turbulence of regional and international conditions require major transformations manifesting in reconciliations, alliances, and the strengthening of relations between countries so that the region can successfully deal with the very dangerous international and regional pressures.
He stressed that the unity of the entire Arab front is a necessity, especially as the negative repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis burden all world countries, including the Arab countries, especially in terms of the economy. For his part, Ezzat Ibrahim, editor-in-chief of 'Al Ahram Weekly' and Al Ahram's English edition newspapers, told QNA that the visit of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar confirms that the bilateral relations are going according to the understandings reached to launch strong joint co-operation and build on the strength of relations between both peoples, whose relationship has not been interrupted for a single day.
He further expected that the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani would have an important impact on economic relations in the short term and that it would make a major qualitative leap in investments, facilitating for more funds to be pumped into the Egyptian economy.
He pointed out that the leadership of the two countries has a strong will to advance bilateral co-operation to achieve more regional stability.
Ibrahim noted the importance of continuing the vision interchange between both countries, to arrive to common perceptions on regional security issues, and to reach settlements on the thorny topics, in addition to solving the question of Arab food security, especially as Cairo and Doha are involved in regional and international efforts to address the urgent and aggravating problems in the region and beyond.
