Camp David. These two words may explain the main factor behind two decades of estrangements between Tehran and Cairo. However, Camp David was not alone. Today, Iran and Egypt are learning not to get embroiled over many disturbing issues that history brings between two countries. Tomb of an ousted Shah, name of a street, partiality during Iran-Iraq war and a few other issues are, hopefully, turning into hurdles behind.
Both countries are expressing their willingness to normalize ties on different occasions. As Tehran practices its policy of détente, Egypt welcomes reducing tensions in relations between Iran and Arab countries.
It is natural for Iran and Egypt to be on the spotlight. They are two of the most densely populated countries of the Muslim world. Egypt draws on one of the world’s richest and most ancient civilizations, and so does Iran. Egypt enjoys a strategic position in the region, and so does Iran. Egypt is situated by Suez Canal and Iran by Strait of Hormoz. Both Tehran and Cairo are important centers of making political decisions in the region. All these facts indicate that a greater Tehran-Cairo cooperation is a unique guarantee to regional stability. Such an accomplishment can hardly be tolerated by some elements. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that every now and then, a minor matter is raised by hidden hands to disturb the rapprochement process.
Egyptian authorities seem interested in joining the new chapter opened in the relations between Iran and some leading Arab countries. The more countries distance themselves from rings of regional cooperation, the more drastic will be the consequences. Warming of Turkey to Israel, signing of different military agreements and staging some maneuvers by them can all be consequences of less-than-perfect understanding between powerful states of the region. Egypt seems aware of the fact that it cannot benefit from such developments if it intends to remain an influential country in the area and withstand threats of opponents.
“Iran’s future role is a vital factor for the stability of the region. Iran and the Arab world cannot afford a tense and uncomfortable relationship. A new page must be turned to resume a fruitful, healthy and normal interaction between Iran and the Arab world and its integration into the wider regional perspective in the interest of all parties,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa recently stated.
New regional developments have occurred during the past two years which paved the way for greater cooperation between some countries, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia. This can become a model for Iran-Egypt ties.

The rapprochement road in trade is relatively smooth for Iran and Egypt. Attended by 31 companies, the Egypt Pavilion was for the first time staged in Tehran International Trade Fair last October. Iran reciprocated the signals by staging the single-country exhibition of Iran attended by many Iranian manufacturers, industrialists and businessmen in November. The exhibition resulted in $200 million worth of deals between two countries mainly in terms of auto industry, petrochemicals, cement and steel. Meanwhile, negotiations continue between Iran and Egypt on joint projects including clothing, iron, steel, chemicals, sugar refining, automotive parts, ship building and furniture. The volume of trade was previously estimated around $70-$80 between the two countries.
Formation of the Islamic Common Market which is encouraged by Iranian trade authorities is an ambition which can be achieved by greater commercial cooperation between Tehran and Cairo. Resumption of operations by Iran-Egypt Shipping Lines, activation of Iran-Egypt joint bank as well as other joint companies are main contributions to this measure.
In the field of culture, further cooperation between Tehran and Cairo can be achieved by Iran’s initiative of dialogue among civilizations where Egypt is a major player together with Italy, Greece and Iran.
Iran and Egypt are expected to fully resume their long-established relations in a matter of months. This assumption is supported by the fact that Iran-Egypt Friendship Association recently declared its existence as a non-governmental body to encourage normalizing ties between Tehran and Cairo in the interests of both sides. Mention can also be made of the visit paid by the Egyptian Minister of Information to Iran, his meeting with President Khatami and the continued negotiations between the foreign ministers of the two countries. Twenty years is a long time for an interruption of relations and both countries need some time and some will to get back to normal. What matters most is that such a normalization is pretty much on agenda.