Thread on #Egypt’s Sisi visit to #France, in light of the joint press conference of the two leaders in Paris:
@AlsisiOfficial
@EmmanuelMacron

1/ Judging with warm body language, it is clear that there is a good personal relationship between both leaders @AlsisiOfficial and @EmmanuelMacron. Both are willing to put any difference between them aside, to fulfil their joint goals and aspirations.

2/ on the foreign policy front, it is clear that both @AlsisiOfficial and @EmmanuelMacron share same vision in East Med, Libya, and both agree on the negative rule that has been played by #Turkey (only indirectly mentioned) in both fronts.

3/ Beside military cooperation, Egypt’s Sisi is keen for French tourists to return to Egypt. He asserted the strict measures taken in all Egypt’s resorts to minimize #COVID19
Cooperation in Education, economy, infrastructure projects is at its peak between both countries

4/ on human rights front, #France prefers a more effective private conversation, on a case by case basis.
@EmmanuelMacron raised case of Rami Shaath with @AlsisiOfficial
In Egypt, this policy works much better than the American loud one. https://www.reuters.com/article/france-egypt-int-idUSKBN28H0BY

5/ Egypt’s Sisi defended his HR record. His calm non-confrontational tone was evident, and mentioned how 55 thousand NGOs org work in Egypt. Macron seems to take credit for releasing EIPR activists. Regardless, it is clear both leaders are willing to solve their differences

6/ On Islamism and terrorism and Prophet Cartoons, #Egypt's Sisi strikes a clear rational tone than Al-Azhar's agitated one. He aexplained the difference between Islam and those who commit terror in the name of it, although didn't mention Islamism per se.

7/ In a reply to a French journalist,Egypt’s Sisi highlighted how Muslim Brotherhood( without mentioning name), and highlighted how the group has now bases around the globe. I have no recollection of any Egyptian leader openly said that before.

8/press conference was going smoothly until very aggressive Egyptian journalist asked @EmmanuelMacron to apologies 4 insulting Prophet Mohamed. Macron’s assertive reply came fast; France believes Human rights superior to religious rights because it is a democracy; not theocracy

9/ In short:
•Relations between France & Egypt is too strong to be affected by differences on HR and #CharlieHebdo cartoons
• Both countries needs allies; not enemies.
•They share visions, particularly against #Turkey is evident.

10/
#Egypt has serious problem, confusing HR & religious rights, and terrorism.
Piling the 3 together is counterproductive.
Trading HR versus religious freedom will not work, even with accommodating @EmmanuelMacron, and especially with the upcoming Biden administration in US.

#Egypt’s @AlsisiOfficial reply defending his HR record is shared by many, particularly, in the Gulf.
His calm tone was more successful in conveying his views, more than his words https://twitter.com/hsom67/status/1335946317743452160

Another point on @EmmanuelMacron & @AlsisiOfficial:
Western pressure will NOT improve HR unless Egyptian society starts to care about civil rights more than the dress of a woman posing in front of Pyramids.
Sadly, #EIPR activists were more popular outside than inside #Egypt.

One photo sums-up the relations between two allies in a turbulent regions.
Neither pro- #Turkey, nor pro- @alimamaltayeb could sabotage the visit.
There are indeed differences, but both @EmmanuelMacron and @AlsisiOfficial seem to be willing to solve them
#Egypt #France

Some try to make distinction between American secularism, as defense of religion against state, from France’s one that defends state against religion https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/04/opinion/macron-terrorism-france.html
But that again blurs difference between Islamism and Islam. @EmmanuelMacron fight an ideology; not a faith

Now search #Sisi & #Macron on Twitter, one will see mostly Turkish and pro-Erdogan trolls agitated by today’s visit.
Another sign that #France- #Egypt alliance has successful irked the Sultan and his allies.
@AlsisiOfficial @EmmanuelMacron