Morsi’s Tehran visit, chance to redefine mutual ties

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) -Weeks ago before the start of the NAM summit in Tehran, Morsi’s possible attendance in the event was a hot subject of debate because this was the first time a high-ranking Egyptian official wanted to travel to the Iranian capital after a lapse of over 30 years.Morsi as the first Egyptian president who took office after a public revolution in the country arrived in Tehran today to attend the 16th NAM Summit.In 1979 after the then Egyptian president Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords, by which Cairo formally recognized Israel, Iran-Egypt diplomatic ties declined to its lowest level.Assassination of Sadat left no impact on the two countries’ bilateral relationships because following his death, his assistant Hosni Mubarak seized power and the wall of mistrust continued to exit between the two states for 30 years.However, Iran was always seeking to restore bilateral ties.Mubarak’s downfall in 2010 concurrent with the 32nd anniversary of collapse of Mohammad Reza Shah’s regime in Iran gave impetus to the possibility that Egypt’s ties with Iran will be normalized.At this juncture, Morsi who has taken power for almost two months traveled to Tehran for NAM Summit which opened on August 30.Although some are making attempts to portray Morsi’s Tehran visit as an ordinary event, no one can overlook the political significance of his presence as the president of a country which severed its ties with Iran 30 years ago.There is no doubt that Morsi’s Tehran visit is a main and symbolic event and can open a new chapter in bilateral ties.Given their higher political, economic and cultural capacities, Iran and Egypt can establish new ties based on mutual respect.Having historical commonalities and ancient civilization and experiencing public revolutions will help promote bilateral ties.It is evident that Cairo-Tehran proximity can be a source of concern for the aliens such the Zionist regime and the US.Since they used tensions and dispute to promote their clout among nations, closeness of the two big countries can create obstacles to the materialization of their goals.To restore their ties, Iran and Egypt need to take practical and confidence-building steps.There is no doubt that Morsi’s trip to Tehran for NAM Summit can open a new chapter in bilateral ties. /219