Russia and Egypt: Dialogue and New Cooperation Formats Explored during Lecture at Inostranka

On August 26, the Library for Foreign Literature (Inostranka) hosted a lecture titled "Moscow – Cairo: History and Development of Russian-Egyptian Dialogue." Organised by the BRICS Expert Council-Russia in collaboration with the BRICS+ Information and Cultural Media Centre, the event was timed to coincide with the 82nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Egypt.

The discussion featured several distinguished guests, including Ilya Orlov, Lecturer at HSE University and Junior Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Ruslan Mamedov, Candidate of Sciences (PhD) in History and Scientific Advisor at the Evgeny Primakov Centre for International Cooperation; Mohamed Attia, Representative of the Centre for Arab-Eurasian Studies in Egypt; and Khalaf Saad, Candidate of Sciences (PhD) in History and journalist for the Al Arabiya TV channel. The session was moderated by Ahmed Hammam, representing the BRICS Expert Council-Russia.

The experts delved into the long history of Russian-Egyptian relations while also examining their contemporary dynamics. Ilya Orlov highlighted the unique aspects of the formation of Egyptian statehood, noting that despite lacking a shared border, Russia and Egypt have historically nurtured positive ties. Ruslan Mamedov provided an in-depth analysis of Egypt's political evolution throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, underscoring the military's role as the "backbone of the state." He also pointed out the progressive trajectory of Russian-Egyptian partnership, including the joint construction of a nuclear power plant.

Khalaf Saad reflected on how Soviet-Egyptian cooperation in the mid-20th century set a precedent for strategic partnership. He noted that contemporary dialogue transcends official documents, increasingly permeating public and media discourse. "Egypt's entry into BRICS at the beginning of last year has further bolstered the ties between our nations since such platforms facilitate a coordination mechanism for global cooperation," Khalaf Saad remarked.

Mohamed Attia added that the roots of bilateral relations stretch far beyond mere diplomacy, citing mentions of Egypt in ancient Russian chronicles and the regular pilgrimages to Sinai by Russian travelers since the 11th century. He stressed the importance of enhancing humanitarian, research, and economic cooperation in the 21st century to lay a solid foundation for future growth.

The second half of the meeting featured a discussion regarding Egypt's role within BRICS and its significance in a multipolar world. The experts agreed that Egypt's inclusion in the group represents an additional opportunity to strengthen dialogue with Russia, unlocking new avenues for multilateral cooperation.