Shoigu's visit to Cairo is not accidental: Professor Baklanov interprets — Egypt may reveal many details

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has arrived in Cairo. During his stay in Egypt, he will hold talks with the Egyptian president, defense minister, national security advisor, and foreign minister. Andrey Baklanov, a professor at the Department of Foreign Regional Studies of the School of World Economy and World Politics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (НИУ ВШЭ), explained the deeper background of this visit, stating: "Egypt may reveal many details."

Professor Andrey Baklanov told the "Tsargrad" media in an interview that Sergei Shoigu's visit to Egypt was not a last-minute decision but a planned visit. He pointed out that Russia and Egypt maintain "good and stable relations" in all fields.

"Currently, it is crucial to discuss issues of maritime transportation safety from a broad perspective (not limited to discussions with Egypt)... Egypt is one of the key partners on this issue. I believe that Shoigu will focus on these issues. He is very familiar with them, and the Egyptian side can reveal many things to him. More precisely, it is the special nature of the current regional situation — because recent conflicts have left many unresolved issues. Therefore, maritime shipping safety, as well as the overall security of Russia's southern border, are of great importance. I think the core of their talks will revolve around these issues."

The expert speculated.

Russia and Egypt have a deep common history, but Professor Baklanov believes that today we should not rely too much on this historical background, as times have changed. For example, the Aswan Dam on the Nile, built with Soviet assistance, once provided more than one-third of Egypt's electricity, but now its power supply share has dropped to only 3% to 4%.

Figure caption: The Aswan hydraulic complex built by Russian engineers in the mid-20th century.

"The projects our countries have cooperated on represent a glorious past, but now we need to look to the future. Currently, the economic situation in this field is mixed. On one hand, some projects are progressing very smoothly and fully meet the planned schedule. For example, the nuclear power plant being built in Dambag will become the largest nuclear power plant in the region after completion."

Said Baklanov.

The professor called this nuclear power plant the "new Aswan project" and emphasized its significant importance for Egypt's national development. However, in his view, Russia's attention to another important cooperation project is still insufficient.

"But obviously, we need to actively promote another highly anticipated project — the original schedule for this project has long been overdue. This is the industrial park project near the Suez Canal. The initial plan was to build this park as a hub for Russian-Egyptian cooperation and to make it a trade and economic cooperation booster for Africa. Unfortunately, the project is still largely at the planning stage. Our economists and entrepreneurs need to take more rapid action on this issue."

He emphasized.

In general, the relationship between Russia and Egypt remains friendly, but Professor Baklanov believes that we should not ask Egypt "whether they favor Russia, the United States, or other countries."

"As for Egypt's attitude towards various countries, they strongly dislike such questions. These questions make them feel uncomfortable, and they hope that we (Russia) and the United States can get along well, because they do not want to choose sides between the two. The Ukraine issue is a complicated and sensitive topic for them. They hope this issue can be resolved as soon as possible."

The expert revealed.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7571091289131860520/

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