The Egyptian-British relations are so  close and historic driven by the  common interests, security and stability in the Middle East. The  one hundred -year old relations- enjoy a convergence of political views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern. Egypt has been and is still a major stability icon of the region.    London views that  strategic discussions with Egypt  is of  top essentiality especially  with the escalating  complexity of the major issues, especially in  Syria and Iraq, the refugee crisis, the rise of religious extremism and sectarianism.

Britain is one of the largest investing countries in Egypt with total investments estimated at $30.5 billion since 2011 covering sectors of financial services, energy, construction, tourism, pharmaceutical products, textiles, communications and information technology. The number of British companies in Egypt reached more than 1350 companies.

The Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce and the Egyptian-British Businessmen Council play an important role in supporting and developing trade and economic cooperation between businessmen from both countries.

Britain has also played a positive role in supporting Egyptian demands during the  negotiations with the European Union concerning  the conclusion of the Egyptian-European partnership agreement.

The two countries have always enjoyed remarkable cultural and educational relations that gained momentum with the establishment of the British University in Cairo in September 2005, officially opened by Prince Charles in March 2006.

In the fight against terrorism, Britain confirmed its support for Egypt in combating terrorism. A statement issued by the British Embassy in Cairo said that Britain is committed to working with Egypt in combating terrorism which is a common challenge for the two countries.

Historical background of  Egyptian-British relations

Despite  the British occupation of Egypt from 1882 to 1952, the first official British recognition of the independence of the Egyptian state was after the 1919 revolution, specifically after signing the 1922 agreement   which gave Egypt the so-called deficient independence.  

Egypt soon gained its full independence after signing the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in 1936, which paved the way for the gradual withdrawal of  the British troops from Egypt and also approved the exchange of diplomatic representation between the two countries and the inauguration of an Egyptian embassy in London chaired  by an ambassador.

Yet, circumstances of the World War II outbreak  and its continuation led to the increase - rather than decline - of British military influence and presence until the revolution in 1952 and the signing of the evacuation agreement that paved the way for the withdrawal of the last British troops from the Suez Canal zone in 1956.

Relations between the two countries have been strained during the 1950s and 1960s  for the well-known  historical reasons. These relations soon gained new momentum in the mid-1970s. Egyptian-British relations have significantly continued to develop in all domains since the early 1980s.