Moussa hopes Clinton-Assad summit spurs comprehensive peace agreement
Egypt, Politics, 3/21/2000

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa expressed hope Sunday's summit in Geneva of the US and Syrian presidents would spark the resumption of the Syrian-Israeli peace track and culminate in the acceleration of the peace process and a comprehensive agreement.

Signs for reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict can be clearly recognized in the horizon, the visiting top diplomat said.

The Palestinian-Israeli talks are resumed in Washington and Israel has announced it is committed to a full withdrawal from South Lebanon by July, he said.

The region is getting ready to enter a new phase, it is closing the conflict chapter and opening a new peace chapter that would be based on regional cooperation with open minds and open borders, he added.

His statements were made Tuesday in Los Angeles, first at a meeting with the Editorial Board of the Los Angeles Times, followed by an open discussion with Rand Corporation, a leading American Research and Decision-Making Center, and finally at a meeting with the World Affairs Council.

Moussa will be accompanying President Hosni Mubarak on his Washington visit due to start on Saturday.

The Egyptian scene today is one of many changes, Moussa further said.

Change towards a private-sector-led economy in which currently over 70 percent of GDP is in private hands.

Change towards creating a business climate ideal for investment, productivity and exports, one in which foreign direct investment have increased last year by 100 percent.

Just three weeks ago, Cairo hosted the first economic regional conference of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), an area of huge potential, he said.

Just ten days ago, the government presented a bill to parliament that stipulates granting added tax exemptions to all hardware and software joint ventures, telecommunication infrastructure and multimedia transfer enterprises, a step that will hopefully attract needed investments in the area, Moussa added.

"My visit to the US is part of Egypt's firm commitment to its friendship with the US , a friendship that has stood the test of time," Moussa said.

"If I were to identify one overarching element behind the advancement of peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East,the solid Egyptian-American partnership, without doubt, stands out above all else," he added.

We share the same vision to transform the Middle East into a stable, peaceful and vibrant partner in the global economy, according to Moussa.

This directly benefits US interests and our interests as well, as well as of those of all its friends in the region, he added. "Whether in peace, or in war, whether in fighting terrorism or sharing peace keeping responsibilities around the world, this relationship has been the key to many success stories," he said.

Our economic cooperation has come a long way. US aid to Egypt has greatly contributed to Egypt's economic reform program, he added.

It is, however, no longer the mainstay of our cooperation as it has been upstaged by our rising trade, investments and joint ventures, according to Moussa.

Previous Stories:
  Establishment of peace in ME before end of year, difficult but not impossible   (3/20/2000)
  Moussa and the Arab foreign ministers meeting in Beirut   (3/14/2000)
  Moussa and Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon   (3/13/2000)

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