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German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said during the first working session of Africa-Europe Summit that his country intends to write off all trade debts to poor countries. Go

The countries participating in the meetings of the African - European summit which is concluding its work today in Cairo agreed on Greece hosting the second summit in 2003. Go

The African-Europe Summit is the first of its kind to bring together heads of the European Union (EU) States and their African counterparts," Osama El-Baz said. "The two sides are bound by a common desire to promote cooperation and establish solid partnership," El Baz added. This is the first time Europe deals with African states as a unified group, El-Baz said in statements on the sidelines of the summit, currently being hosted in Cairo. Go

The meetings of the first African - European summit are concluding tonight in Cairo where many causes of joint concern topped by the economic cooperation and problem of the debts and the armed disputes. At its conclusion, the Cairo declaration which includes the mechanism for the complete partnership between the two continents will be issued. The declaration will also determine a periodic date for holding this summit, as Egypt and Portugal suggested holding it every three years in alternation between the two continents while establishing commercial and parallel activities like establishing a fair for African products and a forum for private business organizations and non-governmental associations for discussing social and cultural issues. Go

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook asserted the importance of discussion between the African and the European continents, especially as there are important issues that should be confronted. He said the first such issues are the proper use of Africa's potential and joint cooperation between Europe and Africa, emphasizing the importance of the European role in solving the armed African disputes and comprehensive developments. He referred to the success of meetings of the African - European summit, adding that his country supports establishing the summit regularly and for it to remain as a frame for respect and joint cooperation. Go

Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid is heading today a meeting to discuss the results of President Mubarak's last trip to the USA, especially the agreement concerning increasing Egypt's export capability and developing trade between the two countries and technological cooperation. The council will also discuss investments of the current year's plan and raising drafts for this plan to the People's Council to be discussed with the draft of the general budget. Go

King Mohammed VI and president Abdelaziz Bouteflika met on Monday after the official opening ceremony of the Africa-Europe Summit held in Cairo April 3-4 under the aegis of the OAU and the European Union. Official sources said the meeting was attended by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Qaddafi, MAP reported. Go

Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar will visit Algeria in July, Algerian News Agency reported, adding that the visit was announced on the sidelines of the current African - European summit taking place in Cairo and that the visit comes at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Go

In a telephone conversation that took place on Monday evening, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and his French counterpart, Hubert Vedrine, discussed the outcome of the Geneva summit held on March 26 between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton, and, France's role in giving the peace process a push forward. Go

An official at the Jordanian royal court on Monday said that Jordan's King Abdullah II will on April 12 and 13 pay a working visit to Belgium, during which he will discuss means of backing bilateral relations with Belgian officials. Go

US Defense Secretary William Cohen stated on Monday that the US will not deploy forces in south Lebanon in the framework of UN peacekeeping forces after Israel's withdrawal from the region. Go

The Qatari and British postal services have signed a two-year agreement for cooperation aimed at making the Qatari system more efficient, Gulf Times reported. Go

The situation on the border between Iraq and Kuwait is "generally quiet" United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said in a report to the UN Security Council on the UN Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM). The report said there had been 77 violations of the demilitarized zone between the two countries in the period between late September 1999 and the end of March 2000. Go

Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said met yesterday with Kuwaiti Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Saad Jasim al Hashil, Oman Daily Observer reported. Go

King Mohammed VI, currently taking part in the works of the first Africa-Europe Summit, held in Cairo on tuesday more side-meetings with with Malian president Alpha Oumar Konare who was accompanied by foreign minister Modibo Sidi Be, and with Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar and Foreign Minister Abel Matutes. Go

A group of human rights activists yesterday broke the UN flight embargo against Iraq by flying directly from Amman to Baghdad, Gulf News reported. Go

Chairman of the anti-racial discrimination international organization, Abdellah Chorf Eddine, met in Rabat on Monday Moroccan Premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi. Go

Iraqi Health Minister Omid Midhat Mubarak urged the UN human rights committee to work to end the sanctions imposed on Iraq. AP quoted Mubarak as saying before the annual session of the human rights committee that lifting the sanctions from Iraq will greatly help strengthen the human rights situation. Go

Portuguese foreign affairs minister Jaime Gamma, whose country chairs the European Union, said Germany has decided to write-off 700 million marks of LDAC following suit after Morocco and France announced moves to that effect. These initiatives show resolve on the part of European and African countries to make a success of the Cairo summit, Gamma said. Go

A Moroccan businessmen delegation will visit China April 19-30 in quest of partnership projects with Chinese operators. The Delegation, that will attend the Canton international fair, will also visit Hon Kong and Shangai to explore partnership opportunities with local investors. Go

Morocco defeated Spain 19-15 in a match played in Albacete, Spain, part of the six-nation tournament. The victory puts Morocco in the second rank after Rumania and ahead of Georgia, Spain, Portugal and Holland. Go

Morocco will play Ukraine next weekend here for a place within the World tennis group. The Moroccan team will include Younes Al-Aynoui, Hicham Arazi, Karim Alami and Mounir Laaraj. Go

The chairman of the Russian delegation to the exposition for space, aviation and weapons equipment, currently being held in Chile stated the importance of cooperation between Russia and Israel in the areas of the defense industry and renovating military equipment. Go

UAE federal and public establishments will be closed tomorrow in honor of the beginning of Hijri year 1421, Khaleej Times reported. Go