Egypt celebrated the tenth anniversary of the 30 June Revolution recently, an event which restored the real political legacy and historical trajectory of the country as an independent state and the true soul of the Egyptian people.
The 30 June Revolution has proven to be a seminal event for the international order and a geopolitical landmark of the utmost importance not only for the Egyptian people, but also for Egypt’s neighbours and diplomatic partners in the Mediterranean and beyond.
On an ideological level, the 30 June Revolution was essential in safeguarding the principles of an ordered state and in promoting meaningful changes both at home and in the broader Islamic world. It was also pivotal in assisting other countries facing internal challenges, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan and Tunisia, to evolve beyond hurtful dichotomies.
It was the decisive revolution of the Egyptian people and its validation by the Egyptian Armed Forces that led to the dismantling of the Muslim Brotherhood’s influence both in the wider region and in Europe and led to structural reforms in many states of the region. This is a lesson that should always be borne in mind in EU decision-making circles.
On a geopolitical level, the New Egypt under the prudent leadership of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has risen to become a regional hegemon in three circles: Africa, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean.
In Africa, Egypt is pivotal in stabilising war-torn states like Libya and Sudan and in promoting internal cohesion across the continent. In the Arab world, Egypt, with its historical legacy and geopolitical weight, remains the natural leader of the Arab world and an example for future developments in internal stability.
In the Mediterranean, Egypt is an essential diplomatic partner for EU states such as France, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. Egypt initiated the East Mediterranean Gas Forum and has taken a leading role in multiple agreements that safeguard stability, such as the partial demarcation of the Exclusive Economic Zones with Greece.
Especially for Greece and Cyprus, the continuing cooperation with Egypt is a top strategic priority. In early July, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus co-signed another useful military initiative, the Common Plan of Action for 2023, in Nicosia in Cyprus. This allows for common military exercises, joint drills of special forces, and cooperation in the fields of cyberwarfare and search and rescue operations. These are all essential aspects of multilateral cooperation in the light of recent developments in the Mediterranean and on a global scale.
Regarding the EU, Egypt has risen to become both an essential energy provider in the global energy market and a reliable partner in rationalising migration flows.
The New Egypt has been a trusted international power over the last ten years since the 30 June Revolution. It is a keystone of stability for the Middle East, Africa, and the EU’s southern borders. The EU needs to grasp this self-evident reality by safeguarding its special relationship with Egypt with further economic cooperation and diplomatic support.
The writer is a lecturer in geopolitics at the University of Athens in Greece.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 27 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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