By Asim Alshidi
Chief editor of Oman newspaper
Alas! no doubt that it was never easy to understand the working mechanisms of Arab-Arab relations. They were always intertwined, surrounded by many tensions, and governed by the ideas of individuals much more than the data of reality and the idea of a single nation that necessarily calls for more interdependence and was, in many of its times, farther from The fact that they are relations stems from the civilizational idea, which created the term “Arab-Arab conflicts”, which was always present at the summits of the League of Arab States throughout its march from the mid-1940s to the last summit held in the Saudi city of Jeddah last Friday.
Though this, it is possible with much reassurance to exclude the Omani-Arab relations, between what can be excluded from this scene, as their path has always been different from many paths that fell into the trap of differences, and the accompanying rupture between countries in the Arab world that caused the loss of many dreams The nation and its aspirations throughout the long history.
Although this fact has become known in the Arab world at both the official and popular levels, this matter is more evident in the case of the Omani-Egyptian relations, which began to crystallize their exceptionalism more than 5 thousand years ago today. This exceptionalism is due to many and many reasons, but the most reason on which this relationship was founded and I see it worth mentioning here is the civilizational reason. Which usually accompanies the rise and fall of states, Oman is an ancient civilization that has influenced and been affected by the Egyptian civilization since the dawn of history.
Oman was also looking at the stability of its relationship with Egypt to its centrality as a major country, that centralization made by the ancient history and the civilizational achievement of the Egyptian man.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the Omani relationship with Egypt extended since the era of the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut about 5 thousand years from now, according to what history writes in its papers and what it engraved on the hard rocks in the valleys, caves and towering mountains, and until this day when His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq begins. – May God protect and preserve him – his first official visit to Egypt without being affected by any of the changes because it is based on solid civilized foundations and not momentary individual impulsiveness.
These cultural and historical aspects on which the relations between the two countries stand as pillars of the future of relations between the two countries at this stage of history.
His Majesty the Sultan and his brother, His Excellency the Egyptian President, have a long history ahead of the foundations for this new moment in which the two brotherly countries seek to build new commercial partnership that keep pace with the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples. Despite the importance of the economic file that will be present at the summit between the two leaders, the Arab concern that haunts the nation will have a wider presence and its questions will be greater, especially since the Sultanate of Oman is now playing a major role in resolving many Arab-Arab and Arab-regional disputes in an attempt to build a region of calm and prosperity that allows for the return of Its civilized action after many years of a state of civilizational blockage.. and Oman’s firm belief that we cannot progress without the nation reconciling with itself and its surroundings and being able to positive interaction and human construction that creates civilization and sets up understanding and peaceful coexistence within the Arab civilization itself or between it and different countries. Living civilizations all over the world, as was the situation at the time of real Arab power and action.
This is the most important file that includes this historic visit, which begins Sunday.. As for the bilateral level, there is a lot between the two countries that can be activated, whether in the economic aspect that occupies the stage or in the political, cultural, social and educational aspects.
In the economic field, there are great opportunities for cooperation, especially in sectors such as renewable energy, tourism and digital technology, and by signing partnerships between the two countries and clarifying investment opportunities, it is possible to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and contribute to local prosperity in the two countries as well as regionally.
Politically, the Sultanate of Oman can work with Egypt based on its civilizational and historical centrality to confront the complex challenges facing the Arab world and threatening its existence in many places, starting with the Palestinian, Yemeni, Sudanese and Libyan issues, and completing the return of Syria to its Arab surroundings. Omani diplomacy, supported by Egypt, can play a major role in this. The matter is especially that Omani diplomacy has gained a lot of respect and confidence in the Arab world.
On the cultural side, the two countries can continue to learn from each other, and promote cultural exchange and understanding by celebrating cultural and heritage legacies, which are capable of fueling a sense of unity, solidarity, and acceptance of cultural diversity.
In the face of all this, the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries in various fields and tracks appears very clearly.
And if the future is full of many promises and dreams, then the moment we live in is full of many facts that contribute to the realization of those promises and dreams.. As long as the political and popular will insist on turning those promises and dreams into realities, we must work together to make them actually come true.
But most importantly, we all work to make those principles on which the historical relations between the two countries were founded firm and steadfast in the face of any shifting sands that may present new challenges, and we are committed to keeping these eternal principles as a beacon guiding the way forward for both countries. The Omani-Egyptian relationship is a testament to the strength of lasting friendship and mutual respect so that our goals go beyond the immediate dimension to the civilizational one.
