Egypt and Britain willing to reactivate military cooperation
Egypt-UK, Military, 5/13/2000

In two interviews run by Al Ahram with Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Minister of Defense and British Defense, Secretary Geoffrey Hoon, the two Ministers underlined willingness of both countries to enhance military cooperation in the various domains mainly training, armament and military industrialization.

The two ministers expressed their interest in developing and sustaining joint exercises between the armed forces in both countries.

Field Marshal Tantawi said at the end of his first visit to Britain, before leaving for Germany last week that his talks in the British capital reflected identical views of both sides on regional and international developments.

"Meetings in London with the Secretary of Defense, along with the Secretary of State for military production and the Chief of Staff of the British Armed Forces focussed on developing military industrialization in Egypt and extending assistance in clearing mines from the Western Desert," Tantawi said.

"The two sides discussed ways of benefiting from the British scientific capabilities in training the Egyptian cadres in the various specialization" Tantawi added.

Answering a question on whether there would be change in the military doctrine of the Egyptian Army, Marshal Tantawi said nothing has taken place that necessitates a review of such doctrine.

"The Egyptian military policy is clear-cut and depends on maintaining advanced armed forces which are aimed safeguarding peace, as well as enhancing development and prosperity," Tantawi said.

"We are seeking to develop the base of the Egyptian military industrialization in order to achieve self-sufficiency. We are also seeking to achieve military integration with Arab countries. However, we are working to achieve integration, which involve military and economic benefits. In the field of military industries, we are seeking benefit from the experience of various world countries," the Minister of Defense said.

On his part, the British Defense Secretary told Al Ahram that his country was looking forward to developing close relations with Egypt, adding that the visit by Marshal Tantawi has given a boost to military cooperation.

Hoon said their talks were characterized by frankness and warmth. He said the two countries are currently considering two memos of understanding, the first of which deals with training and the second with cooperation in the field of defense industries. Hoon expressed his country's support for freeing the Middle East from nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

Commenting on the proposal by Egypt at the conference on reviewing Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in New York during which it called for appointing a special envoy for following up the establishment of a region free of nuclear weapons, Hoon said his country was prepared to discuss the idea in detail.

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