During the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with his British counterpart, James Cleverly, to emphasize the historical and strategic ties between their respective countries.
The spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, shared on the ‘X’ platform that the ministers discussed a range of issues during their meeting.
Key topics included economic cooperation, British investments, migration, as well as regional and international developments.
Egyptian-UK relations have a rich history that spans centuries. Here’s a concise overview of their relationship:
Egypt was effectively a British protectorate from 1882 until 1922. This period witnessed a significant British influence over Egyptian politics, military, and infrastructure. The construction of the Suez Canal in 1869, a vital maritime route, was emblematic of Egypt’s strategic importance to Britain and global trade.
Egypt declared independence in 1922, although British troops remained stationed in the Suez Canal zone.
In 1956, the Suez Crisis marked a significant turning point: Egypt nationalized the Canal, leading to military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel. The conflict ended with a ceasefire and the eventual withdrawal of foreign troops, largely due to U.S. and USSR pressure.
This event marked the decline of British and French imperial influence in the region.
Diplomatic relations were initially strained after the Suez Crisis but began to improve by the late 20th century. Both nations established embassies in their respective capitals, and today, they collaborate on various fronts, including trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange.
Economic ties are robust, with significant British investments in Egypt and vice versa. The UK is one of Egypt’s primary trading partners.
Both countries cooperate on various international issues such as counter-terrorism, regional stability, and development.
Tourism, especially British tourism to Egypt’s historical sites and resorts, has been a hallmark of their bilateral ties.
The two nations also have a robust educational and cultural exchange, with many Egyptian students studying in the UK and collaborations between universities and cultural institutions.
Like all international relationships, there have been challenges, including differences in views on human rights, governance, and regional issues. However, diplomatic channels have always been active to resolve such differences.
