Egypt, Spain enjoy excellent ties
Egypt-Spain, Politics, 5/30/2000

Egypt and Spain are enjoying strong and "excellent" ties, according to the Egyptian and Spanish Foreign Ministers.

At a joint news conference with Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique said that the Egyptian-Spanish talks tackled means of developing bilateral ties as well as issues of mutual interest and Euro-Mediterranean talks.

Prior to the press conference, Moussa had talks with his Spanish counterpart.

"The talks dwelt on issues concerning strategic partnership with the European Union and what can impact on a "joint defense" policy or influence our Mediterranean partners," Pique added.

"The ideas and opinions raised by Moussa demonstrate that both Egypt and Spain see eye to eye on different issues," he said.

Spanish Foreign Minister said that he asked for Egypt's support for his country's candidature as Permanent UN Security Council Member.

Egypt and Spain have maintained very good political ties and economic ties, he added, noting that trade exchange is considerable, but the two sides hope to upgrade it.

"Talks covered a number of major joint projects, including the Alexandria-Aswan super-speed train as well as the $ 310 million financial protocol," he said.

"It was agreed to hold the meeting of the joint Spanish-Egyptian Higher Committee at the end of this year or early next year," Pique said.

Pique said his talks with Moussa dealt with the latest developments of the Middle East peace process on all tracks as well as the Israeli-Syrian negotiations on water and Lake Tiberias, terming these issues as very complicated.

"The meeting dwelt on the current situation in Lebanon in the light of Israeli pullout," Pique added.

"However, there are still some pending -issues like that of borders, enhancing security and deployment of UN peacekeeping forces," Pique said.

Pique said that the talks also covered the Palestinian track, stressing the importance of reaching a peace agreement as soon as possible.

"There is an important opportunity that should be seized in order to be able to declare the independent Palestinian State," said pique.

"Within this regard, all sides should show a high level of flexibility and courage in order to reach a better future for everybody," Pique added.

Pique said that he will visit the Middle East region including Egypt to hold further talks on coordinating stances.

Moussa, on his part, said that the talks had covered among other things, bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. He termed his talks with Pique as positive.

Moussa cited an opportunity to push forward relations between Spain and Egypt noting that President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Spain at this time will give a strong impetus to bilateral relations in investment, trade, culture and tourism.

"Culture is an important side in the two countries' time-honored relations," Moussa added. "Having Culture Minister Farouq Hosni among the Egyptian delegation is an important indication of the interest Egypt attaches to promoting cultural relations between the two countries," Moussa noted.

He said the Ministers of Oil, Transport and Planning joined the meetings for talks on enhancing relations and the projects to whose funding the Spanish side will contribute.

Previous Stories:
  El Mundo highlights Mubarak's visit to Spain   (5/29/2000)
  Mubarak grants an interview to 'El Pais' Newspaper   (5/29/2000)
  Mubarak's visit to Spain, historic   (5/29/2000)

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