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letter fromCairo Bi-monthly Perioidical/Seventh Issue /December 2015

Egypt’s vision in Delhi, & summits

Dabaa nuclear program kicks off

2015 Parliament … final step of roadmap Bi-monthly/ Perioidical Seventh Issue/ December 2015

Table of contents

Letter from Cairo A Bi-Monthly Periodical on the p 4 current political, economic, and cultural developments in

Issued by Foreign Information Sector State Information Service Arab Republic of Egypt Sisi, Hollande urge more efforts to stamp out terrorism Board Chairman Ambassador p 13 Salah A Elsadek Egypt understands pain of the Editor-in-Chief Russian people Abdel Mo'ti Abu Zeid

Executive Editor p 14 Nashwa Abdel Hamid

Egypt’s roadmap Editor concludes Mostafa Ahmady

Layout p 16 Nisreen Ahmed Al-Azhar Grand Imam: Terrorism has no religion

SIS Website: http://sis.gov.eg Email: [email protected] Editorial

Egypt's vision for the future & sustainable development

This issue of “Letter from Cairo” includes a different array of topics and traces intensive activities Cairo witnessed on the diplomatic, political and economic levels as well as foreign visits by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi attesting to the fact that Egypt has regained its status and leverage on the international arena not only politically and economically but also on the cultural and arts levels. The issue at hand highlights President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s current participation in the 21st conference of member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which kicked off in Paris where Egypt is representing Africa since it heads the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) and the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC). President Sisi has also participated in two other important summits; the fourth Arab-South American summit which kicked off November 10 in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and the third India-Africa Forum Summit which kicked off Oct 29 in Delhi. President Sis’s participation in both summits highlighted Egypt’s foreign policy and open world vision regarding Africa in particular and other international blocs in different continents. In both summits the world attentively listened as President Sisi laid his vision for Egypt’s fixed stances regarding all current issues on both regional and international levels and for the future and sustainable development as well. With the imminent completion of the parliamentary elections which mark the final step of the roadmap, this issue of “Letter from Cairo” sheds light on the historical development of parliamentary life in Egypt and the distinctive features of the 2015 House of Representatives. The current issue also tackled the developments of the Russian plane crash over Sinai and the relentless efforts exerted by all authorities concerned in coordination with their Russian and international counterparts. It also features the agreement Moscow and Cairo signed to build Dabaa peaceful nuclear power plant. On the economic level, positive indicators by international monetary institutions on the strength of the Egyptian economy are on the rise, resulting in increasing investors’ trust and attracting more investments in diverse fields as manifested in Matrouh Conference where MoUs worth $12 billion were signed. Sisi, Hollande urge more efforts to stamp out terrorism

importance of mitigating global warming effects and to express solidarity with France following the terrorist attacks that left 130 persons dead. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi asserted during a meeting with his French counterpart Francois Hollande at Le Bourget, the venue of the UN climate change summit, the importance of confronting terrorism in all countries. Presidential spokesman Alaa Yousef said the president offered condolences to the French leader over the death of scores of people in the terrorist attack. According to the spokesman, the French president praised Egypt’s stance supporting France’s efforts to stamp out terrorism. President The 21st conference of member states of Sisi asserted during the meeting that terrorism the UN Framework Convention on Climate knows no religion or boundaries and that Change kicked off in the French capital on those who commit acts of terrorism are far November 30. President Abdel Fattah El away from the tolerant teachings of Islam Sisi took part in the conference. Egypt is which urge mercy and acceptance of others, representing Africa in the event since it heads said Youssef. the African Ministerial Conference on the The meeting also dealt with the latest Environment (AMCEN) and the Committee developments in and and efforts to of African Heads of State and Government on prevent the terrorist organizations from extending Climate Change (CAHOSCC). to other areas, pointing out that Sisi stressed the The participating world leaders in the UN importance of fighting terrorist organizations in Climate Change summit, including President Libya and working with the legitimate Libyan Sisi, observed a minute of silence in mourning government to rebuild the state institutions. of the victims of the terrorist attacks that hit President Sisi stressed the importance of the Paris on November 13. Nearly 150 world success of the Paris conference to achieve the leaders, including the presidents of the US and goals of peoples, said the spokesman. President , are taking part in the summit, to run till Hollande, for his part, praised the progress in December 11. Many leaders were keen to take bilateral relations expressing hope for more part in the first climate summit to highlight the discussions on issues of mutual concern.

4 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 Sisi, Hollande participate in African summit on sidelines of climate change meeting President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his French counterpart Francois Hollande, participated in an African summit on the fringe of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21). United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon attended the summit along with a number of African leaders and representatives from the African Union commission and the European Union. The African summit is held under the theme of “climate challenge and African solutions”. The summit addresses African states’ needs, especially money and technology, to cope with climate change. The summit also tackles several issues, including desertification, as well as backing renewable President Sisi with President Hollande energy projects. Egypt chairs the conference of African environment ministers and Sisi chairs on renewable energy in Africa,” he said. The the Committee of African Heads of State and initiative also included means of luring foreign Government on Climate Change. In June, Egypt investments into the renewable energy sector in brokered an African initiative for coping with Africa. He added the overture is not just a political climate change. declaration; it is however a comprehensive and sustainable framework for effective mechanisms Sisi urges int’l support for African on realizing sustainable development in all initiative on renewable energy African states with regional and international President Abdel Fattah El Sisi urged the support. Sisi called on all international partners international community to back the African to prop up the African initiative, pledging that overture on renewable energy. The African Egypt would continue its constructive role for initiative aims at realizing development and the conference to come up with an ambitious protecting the environment, Sisi said while and balanced international deal for confronting addressing the African summit held on the climate change challenges. fringe of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention Sisi: African renewable energy initiative on Climate Change (COP21). Sisi urged his links development, climate change French counterpart Francois Hollande to rally President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said the international support for the African initiative. comprehensive African initiative on the Sisi voiced hope that the COP21 would attain its renewable energy directly links the growing goals, stressing that Africa is exerting strenuous development rates and the continent’s efforts to promote renewable energy usage in contribution to coping up with climate change. view of climate change challenges. This initiative should not be only a political Sisi noted that several forums were organized declaration but it should be a ‘comprehensive and with the participation of the African Union and in sustainable framework”, Sisi said, addressing the tandem with international partners to draw up an climate challenge and African solutions summit. all-out framework of climate change challenges This framework should be supported by the besetting African states which are most affected international community to achieve sustainable by climate change. development in all African nations, the president stressed. “Since chairing the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Sisi, French interior minister convene in Change in 2014, I was keen on pushing forward Paris African efforts to crystallize an all-out initiative President Abdel Fattah El Sisi had talks with

Letter From Cairo --Seventh Issue -December 2015 5 French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve guards of honor. The president met with Speaker on the fringe of the Paris Climate Change of the French Senate Gerard Larcher in the Summit. The talks tackled means of promoting presence of prominent members of the Senate, bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and former French premier Jean-Pierre Raffarin and combating terror and extremism. Marseille Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin, according President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressed to Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef. During Egypt’s solidarity with France after deadly Paris the meeting, Sisi offered condolences of the attacks, offering condolences of the Egyptian Egyptian people and government over the victims people and government over the victims of of Paris attacks, asserting Egypt’s solidarity with the attacks. The president made his remarks the French people at both formal and popular during his meeting with Cazeneuve on the levels and underlined the importance of working sidelines of the climate change summit in Paris, together to uproot such threat. Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef said. Sisi hailed the French police’s professionalism The French speaker, for his part, voiced his and performance in dealing with these terrorist country’s appreciation for the supportive stances attacks, the spokesman said. of the Egyptian government in such critical times, The president said Egypt is keen on boosting praising the progress which has been achieved in security cooperation with France, something the two countries’ relations in all field. that has been welcomed by Cazeneuve, added Larcher also underlined the importance of the spokesman. buttressing standing relations and boosting During the meeting, Sisi hailed the role that is cooperation in the face of joint challenges and to being played by Azhar in confronting extremism meet the interests of the two peoples. due to its role as a beacon of moderate Islam, the Meanwhile, the president of the French spokesman said. Youssef quoted Sisi as saying senate praised the wise policy adopted by the Egypt is ready to cooperate with France through Egyptian political leadership which played a big Azhar to combat extremism. The French minister role in Egypt’s restoration of its pioneering role welcomed this cooperation, hailing Egypt’s role and distinguished position on the international in fighting terrorism on the domestic, regional arena. He also praised the distinguished relations and international arenas. binding the two countries and asserted the need Sisi voices Egypt solidarity with France for further upgrading them in all fields, especially President Abdel Fattah El Sisi paid a visit on on the parliamentary level. The two sides also November 30 to the French senate where he was shared viewpoints on the importance of adopting given a red-carpet reception and reviewed the a comprehensive approach to stamp out terrorism

President Sisi with French Minister of Interior

6 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 President Sisi with UN Chief Ban Ki Moon and refute its ideologies, a matter which humanitarian interaction. President Sisi extended required involving all modern communication the invitation to Larcher to visit Egypt chairing techniques to confront the thoughts of such a parliamentary delegation to get briefed on the terror organizations which seek to enroll more recent developments in Egypt at the political foreign fighters and promote for their extremist and economic levels, probe the promotion of ideas, according to the presidential spokesman Egyptian-French relations and listen to Egypt’s Alaa Youssef. viewpoints regarding the regional files and the The meeting also took up the latest international efforts to combat terrorism. developments on the regional arena, whether in Sisi meets UN chief ahead of UN climate the Middle East region or Africa, as the two sides summit agreed on the importance of fighting terrorism President Abdel Fattah El Sisi with UN in both Libya and Syria and the Horn of Africa Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at Le Bourget, as well. They also pointed out to the importance the venue of the UN climate change summit, of maintaining the entities of the countries known as COP21. Talks between Sisi and Ban, suffering from terrorism in both regions and that came shortly ahead of the summit opening, supporting their institutions which seek to realize security and stability for their peoples tackled efforts to achieve peace in the Middle and achieve economic and social development. East, fight terrorism and extremism, enhance Larcher, the president of the French Senate, also sustainable development and mitigate the effects greeted President Sisi on approaching the end of of global warming. the second phase of the parliamentary elections Sisi meets Palestinian president, and voiced his country’s resolve to promote emir, & S. Korea president parliamentary relations with Egypt after the President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met at his formation of its parliament. residence in Paris with Palestinian President In this context, President Sisi stressed the . importance of buttressing parliamentary relations The meeting came on the sidelines of the after the formation of the Egyptian House of UN climate change summit. Sisi also met with Representatives, noting that such cooperation in Jordanian King Abdullah II, ’s crown this regard would positively affect relations at the prince, Nigerian President popular level along with the political, cultural and and the South Korean president.

Letter From Cairo --Seventh Issus -December 2015 7 Egypt-Russia peaceful nuclear station message of hope, peace President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said the signing power generation station for peaceful use will be of an agreement between Egypt and Russia to done by Egyptian companies. build a nuclear power generation station for peaceful use is a message of hope and peace, “Our scientists, and our youths will be trained adding during the signing ceremony that the new for the peaceful use of nuclear power and we deal with Russia serves as a message of hope, will have the know-how of nuclear power for work and peace for us in Egypt and across the peaceful uses to share with others in the region,” whole world. he concluded. Dabaa nuclear plant ‘largest Russian- President Sisi noted that the deal grants a Egyptian project since High Dam’: Rosatom better future for our people and all peace loving Rosatom General Director Sergey Kiriyenko nations around the world. He assured that the said that Dabaa nuclear plant will be the largest new nuclear power generation station is for Russian-Egyptian project since the Aswan High peaceful use as “we are committed to the Nuclear Dam. “It will mark a truly new chapter in the Non-Proliferation Treaty and we are keen on history of our bilateral relations. The plant will possessing the know-how of the nuclear power make Egypt the regional leader in the field of for peaceful use.” nuclear technologies and the only country in the region that will have a generation 3+ plant,” He added that Egypt’s stance in this regard will Rosatom’s press service quoted Kiriyenko never change. The new nuclear power station for as saying. The plant is supposed to have four peaceful use will be from the third- generation to power-generating units, each of them with an maintain the environment, he said. Sisi also noted output capacity of 1,200 megawatts, it added. that the cost of the nuclear power generation station for peaceful use will be paid back in 35 The document was inked on November 19 by years as the state budget will not be burdened Rosatom’s general director and Egypt’s Minister by the expenses. The electricity production of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed payment will pay back the expenses, he pointed Shaker. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi witnessed out. Egyptian companies will take part in the the signing ceremony. project as no less than 20 percent of the nuclear

8 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 Sisi in Delhi & Riyadh:

Egypt commends India’s contribution in peace keeping operations in Africa, looks forward for more investments

Arab-South American summit would be a model for cooperation to open a new chapter in relations

The fourth Arab-South American summit plans adopted on both sides depending on kicked off November 10 in the Saudi capital common values and cooperation. of Riyadh with the participation of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Leaders from 33 The landmark summit is an important countries, 12 South American states along meeting that helps the conferees to push for the 22 member states, attended the reforms in the United Nations and the the opening session that was chaired by King UN Security Council in protest against the Salman of . The session´s agenda uni-polar world policies. The three previous included talks on putting a cooperation summits were held in Brasilia on May 11, mechanism in place to boost joint projects 2005, in Doha on March 31, 2009 and in at political, economic, cultural, scientific and Lima on October 2, 2012. The opening technological levels. session kicked off with a speech delivered by Saudi King Salman who stressed the need for The fourth summit that ran for two days constructive ties between the Arab countries tackled the situations in the Palestinian and the South American countries. territories, Libya, Syria and . The leaders followed up the outcome of the ninth Addressing the opening session of the Review Conference of the Parties to the summit in Riyadh, President Abdel Fattah Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear El Sisi said that it was the first time for him Weapons that took place from April 27 to to take part in the meeting, which comes 10 May 22, 2015. They discussed a mechanism years after the first one was held in Brazil. to implement the sustainable development He voiced hope that Arab-South American

Letter From Cairo --Seventh Issue -December 2015 9 summit would be a model for cooperation cooperation among the countries of the South among the two groups to open a new chapter and a step to open a new chapter in the Arab in relations. relations with the countries of South America. He noted that the Arab and South American He called for increasing the private countries have similar development, social sectors’ investments in both sides. “There and economic models, paving the way for is an urgent need to upgrade the horizons of more cooperation between the two sides. cooperation between the two sides to serve the prosperity of peoples in view of potentials He warned that the Arab countries are and opportunities the two parties have in all going through real dangers with groups fields,” Sisi said. adopting extremist thought trying to exploit the current situation in the region, which “Egypt is looking forward to could push these countries towards chaos communicating with the South American and division. “But, the Egyptian people have countries to brief them on the promising rejected all such attempts,” Sisi said. investment opportunities and ambitious development plans,” he added. President Sisi He noted that Egypt is witnessing the voiced trust in continued South American last step of the roadmap; the parliamentary support for the Arab causes, calling for elections, pointing out to an economic take- ending the Israeli occupation and declaring off in Egypt through establishing national an independent Palestinian state, which will mega projects, including the New Suez Canal contribute to the stability of the Middle East. which is a proof of the Egyptian people’s strong will. He stressed that countering terrorism should not be limited to the military and Egyptian-Saudi coordinatory council security solutions, but it should include agreement takes effect since its signing the economic, educational and cultural Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir aspects and employing the youths’ energies. praised the meeting which was held between “Security and stability are priorities in President Abdel Fattah El Sisi with Saudi Egypt’s foreign policy,” Sisi said, adding that King Salman bin Abdel Aziz on the sidelines Egypt is seeking to settle the crises in Syria, of the Arab-South American conference in Libya, and Yemen and protect the territorial Riyadh and the signing of an agreement on integrity of these countries. establishing a coordinatory council between the two countries. Sisi also voiced hope that Arab-South American summit will be a model for The Saudi minister told reporters that the

10 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 council agreement came into force since President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed its signing, pointing out the goal of the that partnership and cooperation among council was to follow up the development of developing countries and world states in relations with Egypt after the deputy crown general are the key to facing the current prince’s visit to Cairo and his agreement with challenges. Sisi, addressing the third India- Egyptian officials on establishing investment Africa Forum Summit, said Indian-African projects. partnership is a model of consecutive cooperation among southern states “based Sisi: Partnership is key to facing current challenges on our common history of struggle to get our liberation”. The third India-Africa Forum Summit kicked off October 29 with the participation He cited partnership between late Egyptian of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and leaders and Indian leaders Gamal Abdel Nasser and of more than 45 African countries. The Jawaharlal Nehru, respectively, in setting up summit issued at the end of its meetings two Non-Alignment Movement. documents; the Declaration of Delhi and He underlined the importance of Framework of Joint Cooperation between responding to aspirations of African nations India and the African countries. The first and getting a fair representation at the UN document covered international issues Security Council. Sisi also called for more of concern to India and Africa including consultations between the African and international terrorism, piracy, climate Indian sides as regards current negotiations change, sustainable development and over climate change to guarantee that developing UN Security Council. The second the agreement to be clinched in Paris in document tackled the spheres through which December would meet the needs of African India can benefit the African continent such and developing nations. as technology transfer, medical care and renewable energy. The summit is a chance The president underlined the importance for Egypt to encourage Indian businessmen of intensifying Indian-African cooperation pump their investments into Egyptian in fighting terrorism, saying combating market. terrorism should not be limited to security

Letter From Cairo -Sixth/Special Issue - November 2015 11 means but should also include drying out the Sisi said, reiterating Egypt’s keenness on funding sources of terrorism and intellectual pushing forward Indian-African partnership ideology feeding it. In this regard, Sisi “to materialize our peoples’ aspirations for referred to the important role of Al Azhar security, stability and hoped-for economic in spreading moderate Islam and fighting development”. extremist ideas. Indian president keen on increasing He called for adopting more economic investments in Egypt programs aiming at providing more jobs to young people who resort to violence in During the visit, Sisi met Indian President protest against being jobless. “We should Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra work for increasing cooperation between Modi and senior officials and business people India and Africa,” Sisi said, citing Egypt’s to probe promoting economic cooperation hosting of a summit grouping the three and boosting Indian investments in Egypt. African economic blocs last June and which The president met also a number of African ended up with the signing of a Free Trade leaders participating in the Summit to discuss Agreement among them. African issues and peacekeeping efforts in the continent. Such an agreement is considered a turning point in the history of inter-Africa Indian President Pranab Mukherjee cooperation that would help make African affirmed his country’s keenness on markets investment-magnet areas, he said. intensifying cooperation with Egypt in the The future of trade and investment in Africa coming stage at all levels and increasing is promising and will help create a better Indian investments in Egypt. tomorrow for generations to come given According to presidential spokesman Alaa the rich natural resources the continent is Youssef, the Indian president voiced his abundant with and its promising potentials appreciation for the eagerness of President in the industrial, agricultural and energy Sisi to attend the summit. President Sisi’s domains, he said. participation contributed to the success of Sisi called for paying more attention to the summit and help summiteers come out infrastructure sector via setting up more with results that serve the best of cooperation giant projects in this domain, citing the relations between India and the African inauguration of the New Suez Canal project. continent, the spokesman quoted Mukherjee The new Canal, an important international as having said. waterway, is part of a mega project aiming at The Indian president reviewed with turning the Suez Canal area to an important President Sisi the historic and deeply-rooted hotbed for trade, investments and services. relations between India and Egypt, Youssef He called on African and Indian brothers to added. Mukherjee noted that he kept an eye take part in New Suez Canal projects given on the developments in Egypt and lauded its expected high economic revenues. the success of the Egyptian leadership in He expressed thanks for the African support restoring political stability and pushing of Egypt in the UN General Assembly vote economic and social development efforts that helped Egypt win a non-permanent in the country, the spokesman said. He also seat at the Security Council for 2016/2017, praised the mega projects, currently carried promising to concentrate during this year on out in Egypt, especially the New Suez Canal the African continent’s priorities as regards that was completed only in one year, he peace and security. added. “Our meeting today is just a step on the For his part, President Sisi affirmed Egypt’s march of Indian-African cooperation,” keenness on enhancing historic relations and

12 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 finding new horizons for effective cooperation capability building institutions, developing between both countries in the various infrastructure, transport, clean energy, domains to serve the best interests of the irrigation and agriculture mechanisms and peoples of both countries. He also lauded the achieving sustainable development in Africa, recent growth of trade exchange, expressing he said. hope that more Indian investments would be pumped in the coming stage, especially in In the last three years alone, nearly 25,000 light of promising opportunities in the new young Africans have been trained and projects. educated in India. They are the 25,000 new links between us, he said. “We will help India to give Africa 10 billion dollars connect Africa from Cairo to Cape Town, in soft loans from Marakesh to Mombassa; help develop your infrastructure, power and irrigation; help Indian Prime Minister said add value to your resources in Africa; and, his country will offer within the coming five set up industrial and information technology years 10 billion dollars to African states in parks.”He underlined the importance of the form of soft loans. fostering efforts between Indian and African Addressing the third India-Africa Forum countries to get permanent seats at the UN Summit he said India will also offer a Security Council. 600-million-dollar grant. Of that, $100 At the end of his speech, the Indian premier million would go toward a new India-Africa said “development of human capital in Development Fund and $10 million to an every walk of life will be at the heart of our India-Africa Health Fund. partnership. We will open our doors more; Since the convocation of the first Indian- we will expand tele-education; and we will African Forum Summit in 2008, India was continue to build institutions in Africa. He committed to offer 7.4 billion dollars to the cited late Egyptian Nobel Prize winning African continent that came in the form of writer Naguib Mahfouz’s words “Science a soft loan in addition to a 1.2-billion-dollar brings people together with the light of its grant. The fund went for setting up 100 ideas…and prods us towards a better future.”

Letter From Cairo --Seventh Issue -December 2015 13 Egypt mourns victims of Russian plane Cairo & Moscow cooperate to unveil circumstances behind crash

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his particularly at the economic level, Youssef Russian counterpart have added. stressed strong and historical relations The Russian Interstate Aviation Committee between the two countries. They said that (IAC) said Egypt will release a preliminary bilateral ties will be further boosted in the report on the investigations of the Russian coming stage. President Sisi told Putin that plane crash in Sinai, according to Russian Egypt understands the pain of the friendly news agency Interfax. Russian people after the Russian plane crash over Sinai, presidential spokesman Alaa The joint investigation committee previously announced that “all possibilities are on the Youssef said. He highlighted cooperation table”. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh of the Egyptian authorities with Moscow to Shoukry said Egypt is dealing with the unveil the circumstances behind the crash, accident with full transparency to uncover Youssef said. the reason behind the downing of the plane. The two presidents agreed on the need to Investigations into the terrorist attack can enhance international cooperation to fight take long time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry terrorism and extremism targeting the whole Peskov told Russian official agency TASS. world, the spokesman added. They also “It is absolutely not slow, investigation of stressed the importance of working together such terrorist attacks can take rather a long and with the help of friendly countries to time, but at the same time it does not mean it achieve better living conditions for peoples will be long,” he told reporters. of the region, Youssef said. The Airbus 321 had been carrying 217 Sisi and Putin also stressed that restoring passengers, including 25 children, and seven security and stability in Middle East crew members. Most of those on board were countries would effectively contribute to Russians. It crashed 23 minutes after taking eliminating terrorism and would help create off from the Egyptian Red Sea resort of a more peaceful climate for cooperation, Sharm el-Sheikh en route to St Petersburg.

14 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 Egypt’s roadmap concludes

Voting in the second stage of Egypt´s with the House of Representatives. The House parliamentary elections kicked off at Egyptian of Representatives will be composed of 596 embassies abroad on November 21 and at MPs, the highest number in Egypt’s 150-year domestic polls on Sunday November 22. The parliamentary history. Out of the total, 448 second phase of voting includes 13 of Egypt´s will be elected as independents, 120 as party- 27 governorates: Cairo, Qalioubiya, Daqahliya, based deputies, and 28 will be appointed by Menoufiya, Gharbiya, Kafr El-Sheikh, the president. According to the Constitution Sharqiya, Damietta, Port Said, Ismailia, Suez, (Article 102), the president of the republic North Sinai, and South Sinai. A total of 282 is authorized to appoint a number of public seats will be up for competition in the stage, figures as parliamentary deputies, with the with 222 seats up for grabs by individuals and stipulations that this number does not exceed 60 seats allocated to party-based lists. 5 percent of the total number, that at least The 222 individual MPs will be elected from half of the appointees are women, that they 102 constituencies, while the 60 party-based are not members of one political faction, and MPs will come from two large constituencies; that they are people who have performed the Cairo, South and Middle Delta constituency, outstandingly in their professions. According which includes six governorates, will elect to the Constitution (Article 106), parliamentary 45 MPs while the East Delta constituency, elections will be held every five years. including seven governorates, will elect 15 Egypt’s new parliamentary electoral MPs. The results of the second stage were system announced on 24 November, while the run- off round started abroad on 30 November-1 Under the last twenty years of former December, and for resident Egyptians on 1-2 president Hosni Mubarak’s regime, or December. between 1990 and 2010, the individual candidacy system was used to elect members According to the HEC, the turnout in the first of parliament. Parliaments from 1990 and stage reached 21.7 percent, with 7,270,594 out 2010 were composed of 444 elected MPs and of 27,402,353 registered voters. The highest 10 appointees, giving a total of 454 MPs, with turnout among the 14 governorates in that citizens electing two deputies per constituency. round was Marsa Matrouh with a turnout of This meant that the 444 MPs were elected from 33.45 percent, while the lowest was Alexandria 222 constituencies. In 2010, the number of with a turnout of 14.83 percent. The “For the deputies (the People’s Assembly at that time) Love of Egypt” electoral list won the party- increased to 518, as 64 seats were allocated for based list seats in the first stage of Egypt’s women, in fulfillment of a new quota. parliamentary elections, while of the other 213 individual candidates there are 108 who are party-affiliated and the rest are independent candidates. The Free Egyptians Party is the party that has won the biggest number of seats so far, at 41 seats. A bicameral parliamentary system had been in place in Egypt since 1980, comprised of the People’s Assembly (the lower house) and the Shura Council (the upper house). The 2014 constitution, however, abolished the Shura Council and replaced the People’s Assembly

Letter From Cairo --Seventh Issue -December 2015 15 In 2012, after Mubarak was ousted from each individual electoral constituency elects office, the number of seats decreased to 518 two independent candidates, this time these (including ten appointees), with two thirds constituencies can elect one, two, three, or four of seats elected via party lists and one third candidates depending on geographical size and as independents. This mixed electoral system population. The 205 individual constituencies was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme must produce a total 448 independent MPs. If Constitutional Court on 12 June 2012 on the a candidate secures more than fifty percent of grounds that it was discriminatory against the votes in the first round, they are elected. If independents, and as a result the 2012 not, they face a run-off. parliament was dissolved. The winner-take-all closed list system After former president Mohamed Morsi was Unlike the 2011 election law which adopted ousted and a new constitution was approved a proportional list system, the 2015 electoral in January 2014, a new parliamentary election system opted for an absolute or winner-takes- law (the House of Representatives Law, or Law all closed list system. Under the proportional No. 46 of 2014) was promulgated, establishing list system, if a political party gets 20 percent of a mixed electoral system that put the total of the vote per constituency is entitled to get two parliamentary deputies at 596. Of these, 448 seats, and it gains 3 seats if it gets 30 percent members will be elected as independents; of the vote, etc. The winner-take-all system is 120 as party-based candidates; and 28 (or 5 different. The party list which gets more than 50 percent) as presidential appointees. percent of the vote per constituency takes all the Election system for independent MPs seats in that constituency. The 2015 electoral The new electoral constituencies law ratified system divides Egypt’s 27 governorates into by President El-Sisi on 9 July complements the four geographical constituencies for the closed parliamentary elections law. It divides Egypt lists, two which have 45 seats each and two into 205 individual electoral constituencies which will elect 15 deputies each, giving a and four geographical constituencies for closed total of 120 seats. party lists. Unlike previous elections in which

16 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 Islamic Affairs Int’l Conference at Luxor:

Terrorism has no religion, Arab and Islamic bloc established to fight terrorism

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al Tayeb, The conference tackled matters related to along with the Minister of Endowments extremist thought, methods of combating Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa and Luxor Governor terrorism and extremism, and renewing the Mohamed Badr inaugurated the 25th session religious discourse. Participants announced they of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in would intensify efforts to fight extremist thought Luxor. Representatives from 70 Arab and Islamic and terrorist groups, and continue efforts to renew countries, as well as Islamic scholars, among religious discourse to meet current demands. whom the Palestinian Minister of Endowments During the opening session of the conference, and the Mufti of Jerusalem participated in the Gomaa condemned terrorist attacks in Paris, two-day conference. which killed at least 120 people, stating that The International Conference of the Supreme “terrorism has no religion”. Council of Islamic affairs called in its closing The Grand Mufti as well as the institution of Al- session for establishing an Arab and Islamic bloc Azhar condemned the attacks. The Mufti called to fight terrorism. The bloc will allow the clerics on French authorities to undertake all security only to issue fatwas (religious edicts), overcome precautions to protect the Muslim community extremism in universities and enables imams in France against potential retaliatory measures to supervise mosques in universities to combat taken as a result of blaming without extremist thoughts. proof for the incident. The final statement of the conference, which According to Gomaa, the conference came as a is held under the sponsorship of President Abdel response to the “barbaric operations” conducted Fattah El Sisi, underlined the need for protecting by extremist groups that target archaeological children from the danger of terrorism by allowing and cultural landmarks. He noted that final teachers of moderate thinking to educate them. statement of the conference outlined the The conference stressed the importance of participants’ “unified vision” regarding the fight preparing qualified imams, interviewing scholars against extremism and terrorist groups in the media and spreading moderate religious discourse.

Letter From Cairo --Seventh Issue -December 2015 17 MoUs worth $12 bn. signed at Matrouh Conference

On October 24-25, 2015, the coastal city of the sunken palace of Cleopatra VII, the naval Marsa Matrouh witnessed the proceedings of Ptolemy arsenal, the Coptic Church, Rommel the first International Economic Conference Cave among others. The Conference discussed held under the theme “Matrouh, the Future of means of kicking off a number of mega projects Investment” under the auspices of President Abdel such as establishing Gergob port, west of Marsa Fattah el-Sisi and with the participation of Arab Matrouh and erecting a number of plants for and foreign ambassadors, Egyptian ministers, export of heavy industries at a cost of $ 12 billion. and top business people. The Conference The would-be port is close to Europe and can be targeted pushing forward development efforts developed as a transit point for foreign tourists. in Matrouh Governorate, magnifying potentials A number of agricultural and tourist projects at and luring investments of LE 200 billion. This is a cost of LE 28 billion were discussed during in addition to signing memos of understanding the Conference which also saw the agreement on to implement mega, medium-scale and micro- establishing the largest spa in Siwa Oasis that scale projects. Improving business environment, would span over 500 feddans with an investment adopting one-stop shop and attracting the private worthy of LE 1 billion. Qualified industrial zones sector for up to 75% of projects were also tackled were offered for Egyptian, Arab and foreign during the Conference. investors, expecting to garner LE 100 billion. Matrouh accounts for 16.6% of Egypt’s area, roughly 166,000 km and it boasts cultivable lands, spacious desert, mineral resources, tourist and industrial attractions. It is also home to such historical places as Cleopatra Bath, Ramses II Temple, the sunken city of Julius Caesar,

Egypt’s human rights body member of NANHRI’s Coordinating Committee

The National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) was re-elected a member of the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of the Network of African Na- tional Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI). Chief of the NCHR Mr. Mohamed Fayek said the step confirmed the Council’s role in propagating the culture of human rights and the independent and impartial role it plays. Fayek also said the Council got the “A” rating, the highest rating given to the national human rights institutions by the ICC, which coordinates relations between the national human rights institutions and the UN Human Rights Council.

18 Letter From Cairo -Seventh Issue - December 2015 World Bank appraises Egypt’s stock market

The World Bank Doing Business Report for 2016 said Egypt “strengthened mi- nority investor protections by barring subsidiaries from acquiring shares issued by their parent company.” Chief of the Egyptian Stock Exchange Mohamed Om- ran said there would be more enhancements to improve legislations and regula- tions related to the capital market in cooperation with the legislative bodies. This would add much flexibility and efficiency to the Egyptian trading system and would result in positive reflections on the overall economic situation.

$ 71bn. targeted investments in oil sector Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resourc- Egypt. Currently, there are new 18 agree- es Tarek el-Molla said the oil sector man- ments, to be endorsed, let alone the huge aged, since the June 30th Revolution, to sign natural gas discovery in the deep water of the 61 agreements with investments of up to $14 Mediterranean that has an estimate reserve billion to bolster excavation efforts. Egypt of 30 billion cubic meters. enjoys promising oil and gas reserves in dif- The minister reiterated that gas production ferent zones whether in the Mediterranean, future is of positive indicators as early as the Red Sea, the Western Desert, the Nile 2017, noting that the strategy aims at luring Delta and the Suez Gulf as well as southern up to $71 billion investments till 2022.

LetterLetter From From Cairo Cairo --Seventh --Seventh Issue Issue - --December November 2015 2015 19