Egypt is the United States’ most reliable and influential Arab ally. Its size, central geographic location, and cultural and political leadership render it an indispensable partner for the United States. Egyptian-American relations are based on common goals and interest and have been vital for advancing peace and stability in the Middle East. Throughout the last three decades, Egypt proved that it is prepared to play its role as the foremost regional leader. The Egyptian American relationship has matured into a partnership based on numerous shared goals and values. The current persisting challenges in the Middle East necessitate more cooperation between both countries.

The mutual interests and objectives of both countries continue to drive them to engage each other into the future. Egypt’s cultural and political influence in the Middle East is longstanding and the country continues to embrace a well skilled population close to 80 million, around a quarter of the total Arab population. This undoubtedly has had its impact on its leadership role in the region. Needless to say, Egypt is also situated in an important geo-strategic location, connecting east and west through the Suez Canal.

The United States as a global power with a wide range of Middle Eastern and international interests will remain keenly engaged in developing its relations with Egypt in order to safeguard its long term interests in the region. During the past thirty years, there has been a growing common ground of mutual interests on which future relations with the US can be based. I believe that development, peace and stability are the basis of our common interests.

A Common Vision of the Middle East and the World:
Egypt and the Unites States share regional and global common interests. They work closely on several issues including achieving regional stability, combating terrorism, curbing the proliferation of WMDs, advancing moderate Islamic values, participating in peace-keeping operations around the world, expanding trade and increasing regional economic integration.

Egypt is a Strategic Partner to the US….
Egypt is America’s key partner in the Middle East. Egypt is capable of promoting shared goals of peace and stability not only in the Middle East, but also in Southwest Asia, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa. The US-Egypt relationship has grown to include working closely on counter-terrorism; the Israeli-Palestinian peace process; the War of Liberation of Kuwait, peacekeeping operations in Sudan, Bosnia, East Timor, Somalia and elsewhere mainly in Africa; expanding bilateral trade and commercial relations; deepening regional economic integration; and promoting moderate Islamic values and representative governments in the Arab world. To meet these responsibilities however, Egypt must maintain a strong military force. In the volatile Middle East, political influence is directly related to one’s military capabilities.

  … and a Peace Partner
 The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty is the basis for all subsequent efforts toward broader peace in the Middle East and for US-Egypt security cooperation. Progress on Israeli-Palestinian peace can only be achieved with close cooperation between Egypt and the United States. Israeli withdrawal from Gaza could not have been achieved without full Egyptian cooperation and support future progress in this area will require eve greater Egyptian-American cooperation.