Egypt and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Firm Positions to Achieve Stability in the Region

Since the beginning of the Israeli attacks on Tehran, there has been constant talk about the danger of escalation in the region, amid fears that the Middle East could slide into an unpredictable spiral of total chaos, especially with Israel's possession of nuclear weapons and the significant strides made by Iran's nuclear program.

Here, it is imperative to highlight Egypt's firm position on the issue of nuclear weapons, and its constant insistence and unwavering commitment to the necessity of freeing the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction. This position was clearly summarized by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his recent meeting with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Cairo, prior to the outbreak of the recent confrontations between Israel and Iran. He emphasized the necessity and importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to addressing all regional security issues in the Middle East, to ensure security and stability in the region. He also clearly indicated that Egypt has always been at the forefront of countries supporting the disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation regime, as it aims to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. He noted that Cairo consistently emphasizes the necessity of establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and looks forward to the IAEA strengthening its role in supporting global efforts to implement the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and free the Middle East of nuclear weapons.

This is also the context for the statements of Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aty regarding the necessity of halting this unjustified escalation, and Egypt's clear rejection of Israel or Iran possessing nuclear weapons during his recent meeting with his German counterpart, just hours after the outbreak of the crisis. This was preceded by the confirmation on more than one occasion that Egypt has always been at the forefront of countries supporting the disarmament and non-proliferation regime, with the goal of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons. He also emphasized and warned constantly that the current treaty gap regarding countries' obligations within the framework of non-proliferation in the Middle East exacerbates regional instability, noting that Israel remains the only country in the region that has not joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty and refuses to subject all its nuclear facilities to IAEA safeguards.

Here, it must be noted that this position is a principled and consistent approach to Egyptian foreign policy and diplomacy. While Egypt has always valued the role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in supporting regional security and stability by promoting the principles of nuclear non-proliferation and expanding the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes that serve sustainable development goals, it has not stopped demanding Israel's accession to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and calling for greater efforts to implement the annual resolution issued by the IAEA General Conference regarding the application of safeguards in the Middle East. Egypt has been at the forefront of countries supporting the disarmament and non-proliferation regime, with the goal of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

This principled position is not a product of the moment or the current crisis, but rather dates back to 1968, when Egypt signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and subsequently ratified it in 1981. Over the years, Egyptian diplomacy has considered the call to establish the Middle East as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and the ongoing call for Israel's accession to the treaty a pivotal issue, especially since Israel is the only country in the region that has not signed the treaty, has neither confirmed nor denied its possession of nuclear weapons, and refuses to place its nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Egypt considers this a breach of international obligations regarding nuclear non-proliferation and a contributing factor to the continuation and exacerbation of regional instability, a fact that has indeed occurred in light of the recent escalation.

Hence, it was not surprising that Egyptian diplomacy took some protest positions, such as withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review talks, in protest against the failure to implement the 1995 resolution establishing the Middle East as a nuclear-weapon-free zone. Egypt emphasized that it would not abandon its commitment to freeing the Middle East of weapons of mass destruction, with the aim of sending a strong message that it would not accept the continued lack of seriousness in addressing this issue. This constitutes clear evidence of Egypt's unwavering position calling for strengthening nuclear non-proliferation and achieving the universality of the treaty, with a particular focus on the Middle East.

The vital and active role played by Egyptian diplomacy with regard to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and international efforts towards nuclear disarmament can be summarized in several points. These include, for example, the ongoing call for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, and the constant emphasis in international forums, such as NPT Review Conferences, on the necessity of Israel's commitment to the Treaty and subjecting all its nuclear facilities to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. Egypt has repeatedly emphasized that Israel's possession of nuclear capabilities outside the framework of the Treaty poses a serious threat to regional security and stability and undermines the credibility of the global non-proliferation regime. Egypt has also actively participated in UN conferences aimed at establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, calling for the continuation of this partnership to advance this goal. In addition, Egyptian diplomacy has emphasized the importance of achieving a balance between the three pillars of the NPT: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

To this end, Egypt has fully cooperated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and actively participated in the work of the IAEA Board of Governors, embodying its vision of the importance of consolidating the principles of non-proliferation and promoting the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy. Its efforts did not stop there, but extended to actively engaging in regional and international coordination, by stimulating diplomatic action with Arab and Islamic countries in international forums to promote common positions on non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament. To this end, it has assumed a pioneering role at the Arab and regional levels. Egyptian diplomatic delegations also actively participate in the NPT Review Conferences and their preparatory committees, presenting Egypt's positions and proposing initiatives that support the Treaty's objectives.

All of these steps clearly indicate that Egyptian diplomacy has consistently taken a proactive and principled approach to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), seeking to strike a balance between non-proliferation and disarmament obligations and the right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It also prioritizes the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, a demand that remains at the top of the list of necessary steps to preserve the security of the region and the safety of its people. Egypt has therefore been, and continues to be, at the forefront of countries calling for this goal and actively working to achieve it. This stems from its full conviction that the path to peace and security in the Middle East must be based on the concept of"collective security," not "selective security," in a way that achieves mutual gains for all countries in the region.