Egypt keen on Sudan's Sovereignty
Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/25/2000

"Sudan's sovereignty over its soil should be maintained for the good of both Egypt and Sudan's national security," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa.

Answering questions by professors and students during a seminar held at the faculty of economy and political science, Moussa asserted that Sudan should never be divided. He pointed out that Egypt is maintaining contacts with all parties concerned in Sudan.

Moussa said that Egypt's interest with the situation in Sudan is tantamount to its concern with the Palestinian issue, highlighting Egypt and Sudan's deeply-rooted relations.

On sanctions imposed on Iraq, Moussa said the Iraqi people suffer the heavy burdens of the long-running UN sanctions.

"Sanctions should not remain forever," said Egypt's top diplomat, adding that the UN Security Council laid hard conditions on suspending the sanctions.

Moussa voiced belief that Iraq and the UN should negotiate such conditions.

On the projected Israeli unilateral withdrawal from south Lebanon, Moussa said that any Israeli pullout from occupied Arab territories is a positive step.

He noted that only progress in Middle East Peace Process could push forward regional cooperation and normalization.

Moussa asserted that talks on the Syrian track are suffering a deadlock, citing the possibility of achieving progress on the Palestinian track.

"The issue of Arab water security is closely linked to the peace process," said Egypt's top diplomat.

Moussa called on Israel to withdraw from all Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 war so as to have them included in the projected independent Palestinian state.

President Hosni Mubarak`s initiative on rendering the Middle East a region free of all weapons of mass destruction is of great importance to regional security, he asserted.

On Egyptian-Iranian relations, Moussa highlighted an openness toward Iran praising it an important member of the Islamic World.

Moussa pointed out that Egypt's relations with Tehran are advancing, citing continued contacts with his Iranian counterpart Mohammed Khatami.

He underlined that Egypt attaches great importance to promoting ties with the Central Asian Countries.

The Foreign Minister called for an immediate halt of the war in Chechnya and initiating negotiations with Chechen leaders.

He voiced sorrow over the situation in Afghanistan, reiterating Egypt`s readiness to give a hand of assistance to bridge gaps among Afghan factions.

On the African-European Summit recently hosted by Egypt, Moussa said it paved the way for more cooperation between the two continents, including the possibility of writing off African debts.

Moussa gave a lecture on Egypt and the countries of the south. With the focus being on globalization, the new world order and means via which Egypt could cope with such changes.

Developing societies should cope with such huge challenges of the fast changing international community, he noted.

Moussa expounded Egypt`s policy which aims at consolidating Arab and African cooperation and linking just and comprehensive Peace with Mediterranean cooperation.

"There is a huge gap between advanced economies and developing ones," he said, noting that Egypt is maintaining close ties with several world economic blocs.

"Egypt finalized partnership negotiations with the European Union (EU) and is expected to sign a partnership agreement soon," said the Foreign Minister.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian ambassador to Israel and the Syrian track   (4/8/2000)
  Moussa: Cairo summit created the basis for the coming summit   (4/7/2000)
  Foreign ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Libya convene   (4/6/2000)

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