Egyptian ambassador to the UAE praises bilateral ties between both countries

Relations between UAE and Egypt have improved since mass protests caused the ouster of the Egyptian president.

ABU DHABI // Relations and trade between the UAE and Egypt have improved "immensely" following the June 30 protests that resulted in the ousting of Mohammed Morsi, says the Egyptian ambassador to the UAE.

Tamer Mansour says that during Mr Morsi's tenure relations were "rocky" and "unstable" between the two countries. The former president was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, which does not enjoy a good relationship with the UAE.

Even so, the Egyptian mission to the UAE was treated well by the UAE, he said.

"The UAE was still eager to show its support to the Egyptian people," he said. "And this we saw following the June 30 protests where millions of Egyptians took to the streets demanding a new government."

Following the removal of Mr Morsi from power and the announcement of the interim government, the UAE was one of the first countries to pledge financial aid to Egypt, to the tune of US$3 billion (Dh11bn). Of that amount, $2bn came in the form of a zero-interest loan and $1bn a grant.

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, the National Security Adviser, flew to Cairo in early July to offer the aid in meetings with Egypt's interim president, Adly Al Mansour, and the defence minister, Gen Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

"Now relations have of course changed a lot," Mr Mansour said. "The UAE sent a very high delegation to Egypt following the protests. And above all this, $500,000 would come in the form of petrol."

Mr Mansour, said the unprecedented support from Arabic countries, especially the UAE, has helped boost Egypt's economy,

In the short time since the interim government took power, he said, trade has already increased by 11.7 per cent. Egyptian officials were now working to maximise the number of Egyptian products being exported to the UAE.

Current exports include fresh fruit and vegetables, preserved fruits and vegetables, processed foods and chocolate. Coal, iron and steel products, and oral hygiene equipment are also exported.

"We expect relations to improve even more, and more investment in the future in Egypt," Mr Mansour said.

UAE exports to Egypt include juice, medicine, paper, plastics, printing products and soap.

In mid-July President Sheikh Khalifa ordered the launch of an "Egypt in Our Hearts" campaign to raise money for Egyptians. Run by the Emirates Red Crescent, the aid would come in the form of food, medicine and educational assistance.

Donations to the campaign were being collected and work in the field was now in its third week, said Naema Al Mihiri, Deputy General Secretary for Relief and Development at the Red Crescent. She added that there would be a strong presence in Egypt to ensure the aid was delivered to the where it was most needed.

The UAE embassy in Egypt said more than 100,000 children were given new clothes in the past month.

Mr Mansour said the campaign embodied a "genuine and sincere demonstration of Arab solidarity in times of distress", and the people of Egypt welcomed a campaign that "confirmed the truth that the people of the UAE hold great feelings of love and affection for Egypt".