Interviewed by Muzaffer Vatansever (JTW)

In the international conference on "Turkish-Egyptian Relations: Potentials and Prospects", USAK hosted senior Egyptian diplomats as well as the regional experts and academics. During the coffee break, we directed some questions to His Excellency Ambassador (R) Dr. Mohamed Shaker, Chairman of ECFA (Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs).

Question 1: How do you perceive the relationship between Turkey and Egypt with regard to the promotion of peace and security in the region?

Mr. Shaker: Turkey's role in the region is very important. Egypt and Turkey consult to each other most of the time. During the Gaza War, Turkey took a very good stance and Egypt supported Turkey's position. During the last weeks, there was an important development, attack of Gaza flotila. As it is known, the relationship between Israel and Turkey have been developing and flourishing. At last, Turkey showed that Israeli is not a reliable partner, what we were always telling to our Turkish friends. Now, Turkish government seems very cautious towards Israeli as we are always carefull about Israel. I hope, we will coordinate our policies together as Egypt and Turkey in the future. This is the idea that we can talk here friendly.

Question 2: Do you agree with the claim that increasing cooperation among regional actors in political, economic and social affairs will eventually result in creation of a Union resembling the EU?

Mr. Shaker: Sure, to create a Union like the EU is all of our ambition in Egypt. In fact, there is an agreement signed between the countries Egypt, Morocco, Tunusia and Jordan. It is called as AGEDIR Agreement and was signed 6-7 years ago. It creates an Arab common market; not really like the EU but our dream was that. First a common market, then a community and lastly a Union. This is one of our aspirations. In terms of Egypt and Turkey, there is one important thing is that they have a free trade agreement. This is a very good beginnig and significant step forward. Turkey is a crucial country in the region. We think about Turkey whenever we think about anything concerning our region. We always ask that "what about Turkey?", "how can we involve Turkey?" In order to explain that with an example, we are going to create a zone in the Middle East where is free of nuclear and any mass destruction weapons. We were talking about the countries including Iran and Israel. And then someone asked that "what about Turkey?" and continued "we need a place for Turkey in such a zone in the future because it is our neighbour in the region and therefore in order to create an effective zone, there should be include Turkey." We know Turkey is a part of NATO and all of us are not. We are consulted by NATO from time to time but we are not among the members of NATO, neither Israel nor Iran. In this regard, we are trying to find a way to involve Turkey into our institutions or at least asking to Turkey to respect of them. Definetly, we want to see Turkey among us in a way or another. Also, we would love to see Turkey as a part of Europe and European institutions. Because we think that if Turkey becomes a part of Europe, it can be a bridge, a golden horn between Europe and Arab World. Turkey could be the best actor to establish ties between Europeans and us.

Question 3: Do you think there is a disagreement among the regional countries towards the most critical issues of the region such as Iranian nuclear crisis or Israeli-Palestinian conflict? What are your recommendations to create such a common understanding?

Mr. Shaker: It seems to me that, if Egypt and Turkey came together, they could create such a common understanding in the region. Because of Gaza flotilo, Turkey became more sensetive and more cooperative towards the Arab World. This was the great will of Egypt, to cooperate with Turkey. Rather than meeting alone with the Arab countries; but having Turkey with us creates a big difference. Because you need strong actors in the play in terms of ability of dialogue or having a charisma. In my opinion, Turkey has that attraction and if they came together definetly they can succeedd to create a common perspecive in the region.

Interviewed by Muzaffer Vatansever (JTW)