Mubarak's visit not meant for mediation between Iraq, Kuwait
Kuwait-Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2001

Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa Tuesday said President Hosni Mubarak's visit to Kuwait and his summit with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah are part of ongoing coordination and consultations.

In statements to the Middle East News Agency, Moussa said the visit is part of inter-Arab consultations and that bilateral relations would figure high on the agenda of talks.

"Mubarak-Jaber summit comes a few weeks before the periodical pan-Arab summit, due in Amman in March," Moussa said.

The two leaders will tackle the situation in the Arab region, Arab-Arab relations, developments in the occupied Arab territories and the Israeli elections and their impact on the peace process.

Queried on whether President Mubarak was to mediate between Kuwait and Iraq in a bid to clear Arab atmospheres before the upcoming summit, Moussa said the visit does not mean that Egypt will broker a reconciliation deal between Kuwait and Iraq at the time being.

Moussa referred to the excellent Egyptian-Kuwaiti relations in all aspects.

However, he said that the trade exchange between the two states remained below the $ 100 million a year mark, Egypt exports to Kuwait s 60 million worth of commodities while its imports stand at $ 40 million.

"President Mubarak is interested in seeing more economic cooperation between the two countries, within the context of moves made for setting up an Arab common market," Moussa said.

Egyptian Ambassador Wagdy Abu Zeid termed President Mubarak's visit to Kuwait as important.

President Mubarak's last visit to Kuwait was in 1999.

President Mubarak is loved in Kuwait for his keenness on Arab interests and security as well as his frankness and firm standpoints, the ambassador added.

"Kuwait also plays a pivotal role in boosting inter-Arab cooperation and solidarity," he said.

Kuwaiti's ambassador to Egypt Abdel Al Kanaai lauded Egypt's role in supporting Kuwait.

"Mubarak's visit to Kuwait aims at exchanging viewpoints on the latest developments on the regional and international arenas, "Kanaai said.

"Talks will cover consolidating joint Arab action. the visit comes as part of President Mubarak's consultations with the Arab leaders on the coming Arab summit to be held in Amman in March," the ambassador said.

More than once President Mubarak stressed Egypt's commitment to stand by Kuwait, underlining the importance of settling the issue of Kuwaiti prisoners of war (POWs), he added.

The President slammed the recent Iraqi threats against Kuwait stressing Egypt's rejection of any threat to Kuwait.

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