Mubarak tirelessly seeking the best for Egypt
Egypt, Politics, 4/12/2000

"President Hosni Mubarak works for rebuilding Egypt as fast as possible," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa late Tuesday.

In his speech before a seminar organized by Ain Shams University, Moussa said Egypt faces a real challenge, asserting that the country is scoring economic progress as well as social, educational, health and environment development.

"Egypt has been playing an important role in world development," said The top Diplomat.

"Egypt's foreign policy is quite aware of future challenges and, therefore, it gives due attention to solving pending Mid East issues and setting up a strong economy," said Moussa.

He added that Egypt's foreign policy is not exclusive to the Middle East and the Arab world but extended to Africa, the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa and other regions.

"The Middle East peace process has gone so far and there is still too much to be done," said Moussa.

On the Arab-Israeli conflict, Moussa said Egypt's focus is on Arab rights, adding that the country is seeking a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

He pointed out that recent development in the Middle East peacemaking drive would affect economic and security conditions in the region.

Moussa asserted that the process, at the present moment, is facing difficult impediments.

Peace would not be realized in the Middle East except through a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from all occupied Arab lands, said the top diplomat.

"The Palestinian cause and the situation in Sudan are of major importance to Egypt," Moussa asserted.

He noted, however, that Egypt is also concerned with the Iraqi issue as well as the situation in the Gulf and the Horn of Africa.

Moussa highlighted underway efforts to hammer out a partnership pact with the European Union (EU), which would help set up a Mediterranean free trade zone.

On Egyptian-Iranian ties, Moussa cited signs for rapprochement and called to that end for the good of two countries' peoples.

Asked whether the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon, due by July, is a trap, The top diplomat said Egypt welcomes any pullout from occupied Arab lands. He dismissed such fears as illogical.

Egypt urges for an all-out withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese South as stipulated by the UN Security Council Resolution 425, Moussa pointed out.

He warned that such a withdrawal not solve all Arab issues and it should run parallel with progress on the Palestinian track.

Asked about Egypt's post-peace role, Moussa stressed that Egypt role could never be marginalized in any era.

He paid tribute to Egypt's contributions to world culture and civilization since ancient times.

Moussa highlighted efforts for expanding membership in the Security Council to include a large number of developing countries and to include two permanent African members.

On the ordeal of the Iraqi people, Moussa reiterated the country¹s concern over the sufferings of the Iraqi people.

He called for suspending the long-running UN sanction, warning against the collapse of the Iraqi state.

Egypt could never accept such the division of Iraq , Moussa asserted, describing Iraq as an important country in mapping out Arab policies.

The Foreign Minister branded as baseless reports of disagreements with Ethiopia over the Nile water.

Asked about the outcome of the Africa-Europe Summit, Moussa said a work plan on relieving the heavy burden of African debts and other issues will be carried out in three years' time.

On the Egyptian Communities abroad, Moussa said his ministry gives due attention to taking care of Egyptians abroad.

Egyptian workers are being challenged by Asians in Gulf countries, he said.

On the situation in Chechnya, Moussa said President Mubarak's message to President-elect Vladimir Putin underlined the need to halt acts of aggressions and initiating talks.

On joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), Moussa said it poses no threat to Egypt, calling for promoting Egyptian exports.

He said pan-Arab interests should link Arab communities for the good of all Arab peoples, voicing hope that a projected Arab bloc would be based on such interests.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak meets with Barak in Cairo   (4/10/2000)
  Lebanese president to visit Egypt on April 20   (4/10/2000)
  Egypt supports Syrian stance   (4/10/2000)

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